The High Court hearing the Mustapha Hamid case has rejected a request by the defence to adjourn proceedings to October, directing the parties to return to court on August 18.
The decision means the criminal case involving former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Dr Mustapha Abdul Hamid will continue with the case management conference (CMC) next week.
Defence cites lawyers’ commitments
The defence had petitioned the Chief Justice seeking an October date, citing prior commitments involving some members of the legal team, including engagements outside Ghana.
Counsel for Dr Hamid, Joseph Kpemka, told journalists after Tuesday’s proceedings that the defence had expected the court to grant the adjournment while awaiting a decision from the Chief Justice.
He said the petitions were prompted by the lawyers’ existing commitments and that the defence would now follow up with the Office of the Chief Justice.
“We intend to follow up at the Office of the Honourable Chief Justice to find out exactly what the decision is,” Mr Kpemka said.
He added that the defence would determine whether the petition had been accepted or rejected and would consider its options based on the outcome.
“If it is rejected, we have other rights that we can exercise. Nothing is being ruled out,” he said.
OSP case centres on alleged extortion
The case follows investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into suspected corruption and corruption related offences involving senior officials of the NPA.
The OSP alleges that between 2022 and December 2024, some officials operated an extortion scheme targeting oil marketing companies and bulk oil transporters.
Investigators estimate that the alleged scheme generated GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47.
Prosecutors have accused Dr Hamid of devising the alleged arrangement and introducing it to Jacob Kwamina Amuah, then Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF).
Alleged proceeds used to acquire assets
The OSP further alleges that portions of the money were moved through various companies and used to acquire assets.
These reportedly included lands, houses, trucks for oil distribution and fuel filling stations.
Investigators say the purchases formed part of efforts to conceal the alleged source of the funds.
Dr Hamid and the other accused persons are facing the case as the prosecution continues to present its allegations before the court.
For now, the court has set August 18 as the next date, keeping the case management process on track despite the defence’s attempt to push proceedings into October.
READ ALSO:
