NPA Scandal: OSP Seizes, Freezes Assets Valued at Over ¢100 million and $100k

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) says it has seized and frozen assets valued at over ¢100 million and $100,000 in relation to a National Petroleum Authority (NPA) scandal.

In a statement, it said additional assets are under active tracing as it explained that these actions are based on strong documentary, banking, and transaction evidence linking the proceeds to the alleged offences.

“This case represents a major step in protecting public funds, ensuring accountability in the petroleum sector, and affirming that no public official is above the law. The seriousness of the charges and the scale of the alleged losses make this prosecution a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption.”

It comes after the former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, dismissed his ongoing criminal case as “useless,” in a viral video.

Charges
Dr. Abdul-Hamid, the first accused, is standing trial before the Criminal High Court in Accra on several counts of serious corruption and financial crimes.

He has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by a Public Officer– jointly with two NPA officials, accused of plotting to extort GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between December 2022 and December 2024.

He is also facing two Counts of Extortion by a Public Officer– an unlawful receipt of GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000 from oil transporters and haulage companies under the guise of official duties.

In addition, he faces two Counts of Using Public Office for Profit– accused of abusing his office as NPA Chief Executive for private gain, unlawfully enriching himself with GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000.

Finally, he is charged with Money Laundering as he was found to be in possession of GH¢15,343,251.29, an amount disproportionate to his known legitimate income and suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In total, Dr. Abdul-Hamid is alleged to have played a leading role in a grand extortion and laundering scheme that caused the State and petroleum sector losses exceeding GH¢291 million and over US$330,000.

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