The Office of the Special Prosecutor (Ghana) (OSP) says it is reviewing a request from one of the accused persons in the ongoing trial involving former National Petroleum Authority (Ghana) (NPA) Chief Executive Mustapha Abdul Hamid and nine others to testify for the prosecution.
In an update issued on Tuesday, March 10, the OSP revealed that the fourth accused person in the case has approached the office and indicated a willingness to cooperate with investigators and serve as a prosecution witness.
“Today in court, the prosecution announced that the fourth accused has approached the office expressing willingness to serve as a prosecution witness. The office is currently considering his request,” the statement said.
Dr Hamid is standing trial alongside nine other accused persons, including officials of the NPA and representatives of private companies. Together, they face 54 criminal charges, including extortion, abuse of public office and money laundering.
Alleged GH¢291 million extortion scheme
Prosecutors allege that the former NPA boss and his co-accused orchestrated a scheme that extorted more than GH¢291 million from companies operating in the petroleum sector.
The charges involve both former and current officials of the NPA, as well as three private companies. According to the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly worked together between December 2022 and December 2024 to unlawfully collect GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies.
Investigators say the payments were demanded despite the accused having no legal authority to impose or collect such fees.
Other accused persons
Those standing trial in the case include Jacob Kwamina Amuah, a former Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF); Wendy Newman, an NPA audit staff member; as well as Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah.
The companies cited in the case are Propnest Limited, KEL Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited.
The trial continues as prosecutors assess whether the fourth accused person will formally join the prosecution as a witness in the case.