The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed new charges against the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, along with nine others.
The amended charge sheet now lists a total of 54 counts, an increase from the previous 25.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid and the nine co-accused are facing multiple charges, including extortion, abuse of public office, and money laundering, involving a total sum of GHC 291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47.
According to the OSP, the accused individuals allegedly extorted hundreds of millions of cedis and foreign currency from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies under the pretense of performing official duties.
In court on Monday, October 20, the accused persons were informed that the hearing had been adjourned due to the unavailability of the presiding judge. They are expected to reappear on November 13.
Checks by afronewswire.com reveal that the substantive judge, Justice Mary Ekue Yanzuh, has been elevated to the Court of Appeal, leaving Criminal Court 3 of the High Court temporarily without a judge — which led to the adjournment of the case.
