The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has arraigned former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, along with nine other individuals and companies, before the High Court in Accra. The accused appeared on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, before Criminal Court 4 to answer a consolidated 54-count charge involving Extortion, Using Public Office for Profit, Money Laundering, and Conspiracy.
All ten accused persons pleaded not guilty.
OSP Uncovers Alleged GH¢291 Million Extortion Ring
According to prosecution documents, the charges follow an extensive investigation into an alleged extortion network believed to have operated between 2022 and 2024. The first three accused, identified as senior NPA officials, are alleged to have used their regulatory authority to force Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and petroleum transporters to make illegal payments.
The alleged illegal collections amount to:
- Over GH¢291 million
- US$332,000
Based on recent exchange rates, the total value exceeds US$24.5 million, representing one of the largest alleged financial crimes uncovered in Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector.
Alleged Money Laundering and Asset Acquisition
The OSP’s charge sheet outlines a deliberate money laundering scheme designed to conceal the origins of the funds. Portions of the alleged extorted money were routed through three companies reportedly established by the accused to legitimize the proceeds.
The laundered funds were allegedly used to acquire high-value assets, including:
- Residential properties and plots of land
- Fuel stations
- Haulage trucks and petroleum transportation assets
Investigators say these acquisitions were meant to entrench the alleged criminal network and obscure the financial trail.
Regulatory Power Allegedly Abused
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA), established under Act 691, regulates licensing, pricing, operations, and standards in the petroleum downstream sector. The prosecution argues that the accused persons weaponized this regulatory power to extort industry players for personal gain.
To prevent dissipation of the suspected illicit wealth, the OSP has already frozen over GH¢100 million in assets and bank accounts linked to the case.
Court Proceedings: Bail Terms and Timeline
The High Court upheld the bail conditions initially set by Criminal Court, but added a new requirement:
All accused persons must report to the court’s Registrar on the first and last Tuesday of every month.
The court ordered the prosecution to file all mandatory disclosures by January 12, 2026, allowing the defense full access to evidence before trial.
A Case Management Conference (CMC) has been scheduled to structure the legal process ahead of full trial.
A Landmark Case for the OSP
This prosecution marks one of the largest and most high-profile corruption cases in Ghana’s petroleum sector. Legal analysts say the outcome will be a major test of the OSP’s capacity to tackle deep-rooted, systemic corruption in high-stakes industries.
The trial is expected to draw national attention as it progresses in early 2026.
