The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, is currently standing trial before the Criminal High Court in Accra on multiple counts of corruption and financial crimes allegedly committed during his tenure at the Authority.
This follows recent public comments by Dr. Abdul-Hamid in a viral video describing his ongoing prosecution as “useless,” prompting the State to reaffirm the seriousness of the charges against him.
According to court documents, Dr. Abdul-Hamid, who is the first accused, is charged alongside two other NPA officials for allegedly engaging in a scheme to extort large sums of money from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between December 2022 and December 2024.
The charges include:
Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by a Public Officer – the accused persons are alleged to have plotted to extort GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47 from industry operators under the pretext of official duties.
Two Counts of Extortion by a Public Officer – involving the unlawful receipt of GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000 from oil transporters and haulage companies.
Two Counts of Using Public Office for Profit – alleging that Dr. Abdul-Hamid abused his position as NPA Chief Executive for personal financial gain.
Prosecutors argue that the actions of the accused persons amounted to a serious breach of public trust and violated multiple provisions of Ghana’s anti-corruption and financial accountability laws.
The State maintains that the case is “both serious and substantial,” stressing that the evidence before the court demonstrates a clear pattern of misconduct and abuse of office.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid and his co-accused have, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial, which is being heard by the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra, is ongoing.
The prosecution is expected to call key witnesses, including officials from the NPA, the Ministry of Energy, and affected oil marketing companies, in the coming sittings.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
