GH¢280 Million NPA Case: Mustapha Abdul-Hamid Granted GH¢2 Million Bail, Denies Charges

Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has been granted bail of GH¢2 million in connection with a GH¢280 million corruption and money laundering case brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

As part of the bail conditions, he must provide two sureties, each earning a minimum net monthly income of GH¢5,000. These earnings must be verifiable. Additionally, he is required to report to the OSP every two weeks as investigations progress.

Dr. Abdul-Hamid stands as the lead accused in a case involving ten individuals and companies, all alleged to have participated in a large-scale corruption scheme within Ghana’s petroleum sector between 2022 and 2024.

Also granted bail under identical conditions are Jacob Kwamena Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, and Wendy Newman, an NPA staff member. Like Dr. Abdul-Hamid, they have all pleaded not guilty to charges that include conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion by a public officer, abuse of office for personal gain, and money laundering.

Four other accused persons—Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquah—have also secured GH¢2 million bail each, but with slightly stricter terms. Their bail requires three sureties, one of which must be backed by landed property. They, too, are to report to the OSP every two weeks.

Prosecutors allege the accused were part of a coordinated operation that extorted funds from Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs), with illicit proceeds reportedly used to acquire luxury cars, real estate, and fuel stations.

The high-profile case has captured national attention and is scheduled to resume on August 26, 2025, when substantive hearings will commence.