Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has filed an application at the Criminal High Court requesting the return of his passport.
The move comes in relation to the ongoing GH¢291 million trial in which he faces allegations of extortion, abuse of office, and money laundering.
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The hearing for the passport request is scheduled for November 13, 2025. Dr Abdul-Hamid claims the passport is needed for travel to Canada for a political engagement. However, the prosecution has opposed the application, noting that the former CEO had surrendered his passport as part of his bail conditions and remains listed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The case involves 54 criminal charges against Dr Abdul-Hamid and nine co-accused, including former NPA officials and affiliated companies.
They are alleged to have extorted GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies under the pretence of official duties.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly laundered the proceeds through acquisitions of properties and business interests to conceal their origins.
The co-accused in the trial are:
- Jacob Kwamina Amuah
- Wendy Newman
- Albert Ankrah
- Isaac Mensah
- Bright Bediako-Mensah
- Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah
- Propnest Limited
- Kel Logistics Limited
- Kings Energy Limited
Seized assets pending trial outcome include tanker trucks, fuel stations, residential houses, apartments, and land parcels, collectively valued at over GH¢100 million.
The court’s decision on the passport application will be closely watched, as it intersects with ongoing legal proceedings and high-profile accountability in Ghana‘s oil sector.
