Lawyers representing former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, have filed a motion at the Accra High Court requesting that all charges brought against him be dismissed.

Dr. Abdul-Hamid, together with nine other accused persons, is facing 54 criminal counts, including allegations of extortion, misuse of public office, and money laundering, involving an estimated GH¢291 million and US$332,407.47.

The co-accused include UPPF Coordinator Jacob Kwamina Amuah, NPA staff member Wendy Newman, and company executives Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah. Three corporate entities—PropNest Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd.—have also been charged. All defendants have entered not-guilty pleas and have been granted bail.

At proceedings held on Wednesday, December 17, counsel for Dr. Abdul-Hamid, led by Joseph Kpemka, informed the court that the defence had not received the prosecution’s affidavit opposing the application.

The presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, earlier noted the existence of the motion seeking to strike out the charges and questioned whether the defence had been properly served by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

Although the application was filed by the first accused person, the court directed the registrar to ensure that certified copies of the motion are served on all other accused persons through court bailiffs by Thursday, December 18.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay further instructed the prosecution to serve its affidavit in opposition on all defendants and emphasized that their presence would be required at the next court sitting. The case was subsequently adjourned to Monday, December 22, when the court is expected to hear arguments on the application.

According to the OSP, the first three accused persons allegedly coordinated an unlawful scheme between 2022 and December 2024, during which they are said to have collected GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407 from oil marketing companies and bulk oil transport operators.

Investigators allege that the plan was conceived by Dr. Abdul-Hamid, implemented by Jacob Kwamina Amuah, and carried out through Wendy Newman, who allegedly served as the primary channel for receiving the funds.

The prosecution further claims that parts of the alleged proceeds were concealed through the three corporate entities, which were used to acquire land, residential buildings, fuel retail outlets, and haulage trucks.