Mustapha Hamid, others granted GH¢2m bail each in NPA case

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

As part of his bail conditions, Dr. Abdul-Hamid is required to produce two sureties, each earning a net monthly salary of not less than GH¢5,000, with the amounts to be justified.

He is also mandated to report to the OSP once every two weeks as investigations and proceedings continue.

Dr. Abdul-Hamid is the first accused in a high-profile case involving ten individuals and corporate entities accused of orchestrating a large-scale corruption scheme within the petroleum sector between 2022 and 2024.

Also granted bail under identical conditions are his co-accused—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 other individuals—Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquah—have also been granted bail of GH¢2 million each.

However, they are required to present three sureties, with at least one backed by landed property. Like the others, they must also report to the OSP every two weeks.

The accused are alleged to have collectively benefited from a scheme that targeted Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs), with laundered funds allegedly funnelled into luxury properties, vehicles, and fuel stations.

The case, which has drawn nationwide attention, has been adjourned to August 26, 2025, when substantive hearings are expected to begin.