The Office of the Special Prosecutor has strongly countered remarks made by Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid after he publicly dismissed his criminal trial during a recent court appearance in Accra. In a detailed update shared on November 4, 2025, the OSP stressed that the allegations against the former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority are weighty and fully backed by documentary and financial evidence.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid is currently before the Criminal High Court, facing multiple accusations relating to corruption and financial misconduct during his tenure. Prosecutors claim that he played a central role in an unlawful scheme that deprived the state and the petroleum sector of more than GH¢291 million and over US$330,000. The OSP has already frozen assets valued at over GH¢100 million and more than US$100,000 while additional funds and properties are being traced as suspected proceeds of crime.
The case outlines various alleged offences, including a collaboration with two officials of the National Petroleum Authority to demand huge sums from bulk oil transport and marketing companies between December 2022 and December 2024. Investigators say he personally benefitted from unlawful payments involving tens of millions of cedis.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid also faces charges of abusing his office for personal gain and holding funds far beyond his legitimate income — leading to separate allegations of money laundering. Despite the seriousness of the accusations, he appeared confident as he visited the High Court to support NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who was also in court that day.
The OSP insists that the trial will proceed, arguing that the nation must fully recover any public funds lost through the alleged scheme.
