The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has disclosed the seizure and freezing of assets valued at more than GH¢100 million and over US$100,000 in the ongoing investigations into the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) scandal.
According to the OSP, further assets are being actively traced to be frozen as part of an ongoing financial crime investigation.
“The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has already seized and frozen assets valued at more than GH¢100 million and over US$100,000, with additional assets under active tracing,” the Office disclosed in a post on X on Tuesday, November 4.
The OSP stated that these actions are supported by robust documentary, banking, and transaction evidence believed to link the seized assets to alleged criminal conduct.
“These actions are based on strong documentary, banking, and transaction evidence linking the proceeds to the alleged offences.”
The OSP says the state considers the case against former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid as “both serious and substantial.”
“Following a video in which the former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, dismissed his ongoing criminal case as “useless,” it is important to restate the facts behind his prosecution and why the State considers the case both serious and substantial,” OSP noted in its statement.
Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and the nine others are facing multiple charges, including extortion, abuse of public office, and money laundering, amounting to GHC 291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47.
According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the accused persons allegedly extorted hundreds of millions of cedis and foreign currency from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies under the guise of official duties.
In court on Monday, October 20, however, the accused persons were informed of an adjournment due to the unavailability of the judge.
They are expected to reappear on Thursday, November 13.