Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢2 million in connection with the high-profile GH¢280 million extortion and money laundering case currently being prosecuted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The bail conditions require Dr. Abdul-Hamid to produce two sureties, each earning a net monthly income of no less than GH¢5,000, with the amounts to be justified. He must also report to the OSP every two weeks as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid is the lead accused in a sweeping corruption probe involving ten individuals and several corporate entities. The case alleges a wide-ranging scheme of extortion, money laundering, and abuse of public office in the petroleum sector between 2022 and 2024.
Also granted bail under similar terms are Jacob Kwamena Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, and Wendy Newman, an NPA employee. All three have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion by a public officer, use of public office for profit, and money laundering.
Four additional accused persons — Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquah — have also received bail set at GH¢2 million each. Their bail terms require them to provide three sureties, one of which must be backed by landed property. Like the others, they are required to report to the OSP biweekly.
According to the OSP, the accused are believed to have orchestrated a scheme targeting Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs), allegedly using their positions to extract illicit payments. The laundered proceeds were reportedly used to acquire luxury vehicles, real estate, and fuel stations.
