Legal Dispute Over Alleged Asset Seizure
Lawyers representing Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), have denied the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) claims regarding the seizure of assets valued at over GH¢100 million linked to their client. The allegations are part of a trial where Dr. Abdul-Hamid is accused of extortion.
A statement issued by Hanifa Yahaya, the legal representative, emphasized that no assets or businesses connected to Dr. Abdul-Hamid have been identified, traced, or seized by the OSP. According to the statement, Dr. Abdul-Hamid does not own any such assets, either directly or indirectly, and there is no property worth the stated amount associated with him.
Charges Against the Former NPA Boss
The Office has charged Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and nine other individuals with 54 criminal charges, accusing them of extorting a total of GH¢291.574 million and $332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil distributors. Initially, the ten defendants—seven individuals and three companies—were charged with 25 counts, including extortion by a public officer, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering.
The individuals involved include Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at NPA; Wendy Newman, a staff member of NPA; Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, both Directors of Kel Logistics Limited; Bright Bediako-Mensah, a Director of Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited; and Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah, Director of Kings Energy Limited. The three companies implicated are Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited.
Frozen Assets Claimed by the OSP
Last Monday, the OSP claimed in a statement that it had seized and frozen more than GH¢100 million and $100,000 worth of assets as part of the ongoing trial against Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and nine others. The statement mentioned that additional assets are being actively traced, citing strong documentary, banking, and transaction evidence linking the proceeds to the alleged offenses.
The OSP also highlighted that this case marks a significant step in protecting public funds, ensuring accountability in the petroleum sector, and affirming that no public official is above the law. This response came after a widely circulated video on social media captured Dr. Abdul-Hamid referring to his trial as “useless.”
Denial of Asset Seizures
However, the lawyers for the former NPA boss have refuted the OSP’s claims, noting that the OSP’s amended charge sheet filed before a High Court in Accra does not mention, refer to, or concern any asset or business purportedly owned by Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid. The accompanying statement of facts also did not address these matters.
“It is, therefore, false, misleading, and injurious for the OSP to make public assertions inconsistent with its own court filings in respect of Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid,” the statement pointed out. It further indicated that the OSP, as a public institution established under law, is reminded that its officers are bound by constitutional and ethical obligations to discharge their duties with fairness, integrity, and respect for the rights and dignity of all persons, including those they have arraigned before court.
“Engaging in public commentary that distorts facts before the court is inconsistent with those obligations and unbecoming of the prosecutorial office,” the statement stressed. The statement also noted that Dr. Abdul-Hamid has cooperated fully with the OSP from the start of the investigations, appearing in court at all times.
Public Statement and Legal Integrity
The statement emphasized that Dr. Abdul-Hamid’s record of conduct throughout the proceedings has been one of respect for judicial process. “It is, therefore, deeply regrettable that instead of complying with the orders of the court, including the directive to file its disclosures, the OSP has chosen to engage in public theatrics and false reportage. We advise the OSP to devote its energies to prosecutorial diligence rather than media sensationalism,” the statement said.
It further reminded the public that Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid remains innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the 1992 Constitution. Any attempt to prejudice public opinion through misinformation undermines the rule of law and the integrity of the judicial process.