The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has said it has made significant progress in its efforts to recover suspected illicit assets with the seizure and freezing of properties valued at more than GH¢100 million and over US$100,000 in the ongoing investigations at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
According to the OSP, further assets remain under active tracing 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 social media post [Facebook] on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
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."
Officials noted that the operation forms part of a wider mandate to uphold transparency in public life, protect state resources, and ensure accountability in Ghana’s governance architecture.
"This case represents a major step in protecting public funds, ensuring accountability in the petroleum sector, and affirming that no public official is above the law."
The OSP emphasised that the asset recovery exercise demonstrates its commitment to tackling corruption and illicit financial flows, reinforcing that no individuals implicated in serious economic offences will be shielded from scrutiny.
"The seriousness of the charges and the scale of the alleged losses make this prosecution a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption."
Attached below is a copy of the post by the OSP on social media
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.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid, the first accused, is standing trial before the Criminal High Court in Accra on several counts of serious corruption and financial crimes. These include:
*Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by a Public Officer– jointly with two NPA officials, accused of plotting to extort GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between December 2022 and December 2024.
*Two Counts of Extortion by a Public Officer– an unlawful receipt of GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000 from oil transporters and haulage companies under the guise of official duties.
*Two Counts of Using Public Office for Profit– accused of abusing his office as NPA Chief Executive for private gain, unlawfully enriching himself with GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000.
*Money Laundering– found to be in possession of GH¢15,343,251.29, an amount disproportionate to his known legitimate income and suspected to be proceeds of crime.
In total, Dr. Abdul-Hamid is alleged to have played a leading role in a grand extortion and laundering scheme that caused the State and petroleum sector losses exceeding GH¢291 million and over US$330,000.
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. These actions are based on strong documentary, banking, and transaction evidence linking the proceeds to the alleged offences.
This case represents a major step in protecting public funds, ensuring accountability in the petroleum sector, and affirming that no public official is above the law. The seriousness of the charges and the scale of the alleged losses make this prosecution a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption.
The next court date is Thursday, 13 November 2025.
