Kissi Agyebeng
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has dismissed as irresponsible and misleading, comments by former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, who described his ongoing criminal trial as “useless.”
Dr. Abdul-Hamid made the remark when he appeared in court to support businessman and Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited, who is also facing criminal charges.
The comment, captured in a viral video, has triggered public debate about the seriousness of corruption prosecutions involving public officials.
In response, prosecutors have clarified that the State’s case against Dr. Abdul-Hamid is both serious and substantial, and backed by extensive evidence.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid, who served as NPA Chief Executive between 2021 and 2024, is currently standing trial before the Criminal High Court in Accra on multiple counts of corruption and financial crimes. He has been charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion by a public officer, using public office for profit, and money laundering.
Prosecutors say that between December 2022 and December 2024, Dr. Abdul-Hamid and two NPA officials conspired to extort more than GH¢291 million and over US$330,000 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies. They allege that the accused also unlawfully received GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000 under the guise of official duties, abused his office for profit, and laundered GH¢15.3 million suspected to be proceeds of crime.
According to the OSP, the alleged scheme caused the State and the petroleum sector financial losses exceeding GH¢291 million and over US$330,000. It added that assets valued at more than GH¢100 million and over US$100,000 have already been seized or frozen, with additional assets currently being traced.
The Special Prosecutor’s office emphasised that the case is a critical test of Ghana’s resolve to fight corruption and protect public funds, warning that dismissive comments from accused persons undermine public confidence in the justice system.
“The evidence is before the court, not in the media. We are focused on securing justice, not headlines,” a senior OSP prosecutor said.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Criminal High Court in Accra.
