The Mustapha Abdul-Hamid's Case will proceed to substantive trial after the High Court dismissed an application by the accused persons seeking to have the charges against them struck out.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor, which is handling the case, announced the ruling in a Facebook post on Wednesday, September 2.
The accused had asked the Court to terminate the charges, but the application was dismissed as without merit.
The decision clears the way for the Republic to continue with its case against the accused persons.
54 Charges Before the Court
The case involves former National Petroleum Authority Chief Executive Officer Mustapha Abdul Hamid, former Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund Coordinator Jacob Kwamina Amuah, NPA staff member Wendy Newman, Bright Bediako Mensah and Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah.
Three companies, Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited, are also facing charges.
The Republic has filed 54 charges covering corruption and corruption related offences, extortion, money laundering and conspiracy to commit a crime.
GH¢291.57 Million at Centre of Case
According to the prosecution, about GH¢291.57 million and US$332,407 were unlawfully obtained between 2022 and December 2024 through an alleged scheme involving officials of the NPA.
The Republic further alleges that portions of the money were channelled through companies connected to some of the accused.
The funds were allegedly used in transactions involving land, buildings, trucks and fuel stations.
With the application dismissed, the prosecution’s case can now move into the substantive trial, where evidence will be presented and tested before the Court.
The ruling does not establish guilt. All the accused persons remain presumed innocent unless the Court reaches a different determination after the trial.
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