A major development has unfolded at the Criminal Court Three of the Accra High Court, as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has dropped all charges against two accused persons in the ongoing alleged extortion case linked to the former Chief Executive or the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid.

The fourth and fifth accused persons—Albert Ankrah, a director at KEL logistics unit, and Isaac Mensah of King’s Energy Limited—have now been turned into prosecution witnesses after agreeing to testify for the state.

According to the prosecution, the two, through their lawyers, voluntarily approached the OSP and indicated their readiness to cooperate with investigators and provide evidence in court.

This decision led to the withdrawal of charges against them.The case, which has drawn significant public and media attention, is centered on an alleged extortion scheme involving officials connected to the NPA.

Presiding judge, Justice Francis Apangar Achibonga, acknowledged the prosecution’s request, with the court expected to determine how the testimony of the new witnesses will shape the ongoing trial.

Meanwhile, the main accused, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, remains before the court and continues to face charges.

He was present during proceedings, appearing calm as arguments were made. He has denied all he charges levelled against him.

The two former accused persons were seen leaving the courtroom visibly relieved after the announcement, marking a dramatic turn in the case, according to JoyNews' Fatawu Bayaga.

Dr Hamid is standing trial together with nine co-accused persons, including senior officials and associated companies.

They are facing 54 criminal counts, including extortion, abuse of public office, and money laundering.

Read also: Mustapha Hamid, 9 others charged with extorting over GH¢291m from oil companies

Criminal charges were filed against the former NPA boss and nine others, including former and current officials of the NPA and three private companies, over an alleged conspiracy to extort more than GH¢291 million from players in the petroleum sector.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons, acting together between December 2022 and December 2024, illegally obtained GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies, despite knowing they had no lawful authority to do so.

Those charged include Jacob Kwamina Amuah, former Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF); Wendy Newman, an NPA audit staffer; Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquah.

The companies cited in the case are Propnest Limited, KEL Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited.