The High Court in Accra has ordered service on all other accused persons of an application filed by former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, seeking to have the charges struck out.
The former NPA boss, who has been charged together with nine others, including three companies, by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on 54 counts, wants the charges against him struck out.
In court on Wednesday, December 17, lawyers for the first accused, led by Joseph Kpemka, said they had not been served with the OSP’s affidavit in opposition.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, the presiding judge, said, “Before the court is an application on notice to strike out the charges against the first accused person.”
The Court said, “I would like to find out from counsel if the applicant has been served.”
Counsel for the accused, Joseph Kpemka, in his response, said, “We have not been served.”
The Court said that, even though the application was brought by the first accused person, it would make an order to the registrar of the court to produce true certified copies of same, including the affidavit in opposition, and serve them on all other accused persons today (December 17) or by tomorrow, December 18, at the latest.
The Court said the OSP is also to ensure that, they serve their affidavit in opposition on the first accused, while adjourning the application to Monday, December 22.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay said it is the expectation of the court that all the accused persons will be in court on the 22nd.
The Court also directed that court notes be served on all parties in the case.
Background
The former NPA boss, and others on Monday, December 9, 2025, before Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.
Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and the other accused persons are alleged of misusing his position and engaging in money laundering activities, totaling GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47.
The amended charge sheet lists 54 criminal counts against officials of the NPA and several associated companies for alleged large-scale extortion, abuse of public office, and money laundering.
It is the case of the OSP that, between December 2022 and December 2024, Dr Abdul-Hamid, Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, and Wendy Newman, a staff member of the NPA Audit Department, allegedly used their positions to extort money from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies without any lawful authority.
Per the brief facts, OSP’s investigations have revealed that the illicit funds were laundered through three companies, Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited, allegedly owned or managed by some of the accused persons.
The funds were reportedly used to purchase and construct houses, acquire trucks for oil distribution, and build fuel stations in an attempt to conceal the proceeds.
All of them have been granted bail and have met their respective bail conditions.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
