Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has filed an application at the Criminal High Court seeking the release of his passport.
This is in connection to the ongoing GH¢291 million trial involving allegations of extortion, abuse of office, and money laundering.
The application is expected to be heard on November 13, 2025. Dr Abdul-Hamid argues in the application that he needs the passport to enable him to travel to Canada for a political engagement.
However, the prosecution has opposed the request.
The former CEO was ordered by the Court to surrender his passport as part of his bail conditions and he remains on the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) list.
The State has brought 54 criminal charges against Dr Abdul-Hamid and nine others, including former NPA officials and associated companies.
They are alleged to have extorted funds amounting to GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies under the guise of official duties.
The prosecution alleged that the accused persons laundered the proceeds through the acquisition of properties and business interests to conceal their origins.
Those standing trial with Dr Abdul-Hamid are: Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Wendy Newman, Albert Ankrah, and Isaac Mensah.
The rest are Bright Bediako-Mensah, Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah, Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited.
Assets seized pending the outcome of the trial include tanker trucks, fuel stations, residential houses, apartments, and parcels of land, valued at over GH¢100 million.
Source: GNA
