Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢2 million following his arraignment in a GH¢280 million extortion and money laundering case filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

As part of the bail conditions, Dr Abdul-Hamid is required to produce two sureties, each earning a net monthly salary of not less than GH¢5,000.

The amounts must be justified. He is also mandated to report to the OSP every two weeks as investigations continue.

Dr Abdul-Hamid is the first accused in the high-profile case involving ten individuals and corporate entities accused of orchestrating a widespread corruption scheme within the petroleum sector between 2022 and 2024.

Also granted bail under the same terms are Jacob Kwamena Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, and Wendy Newman, an NPA employee. All three have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion by a public officer, use of public office for profit, and money laundering.

Four other individuals, Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquah, have also been granted bail in the sum of GH¢2 million each.

However, their bail terms require three sureties, at least one of which must be secured by landed property. They are also required to report to the OSP biweekly.

The accused are alleged to have benefited from a coordinated scheme that targeted Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs), allegedly laundering proceeds through the purchase of luxury vehicles, properties, and fuel stations.

The case, which has drawn significant public interest, has been adjourned to 26 August 2025, when substantive hearings are expected to begin.