OSP considering request from accused to testify in NPA trial
In an update issued on Tuesday, the OSP said the fourth accused person had approached the office and indicated a willingness to testify for the prosecution.
One of the accused persons in the criminal case involving former National Petroleum Authority Chief Executive Mustapha Abdul Hamid has asked to assist the prosecution, the Office of the Special Prosecutor says.
In an update issued on Tuesday, the OSP said the fourth accused person had approached the office and indicated a willingness to testify for the prosecution.
The office told the court it is now assessing that request.
The development introduces a fresh dimension to the case, which already involves 10 accused persons, including Dr Abdul Hamid, other current and former officials, and several companies linked to the matter.
They are facing 54 charges, among them extortion, abuse of public office and money laundering.
The prosecution alleges that, between December 2022 and December 2024, the accused persons acted together to unlawfully collect more than GH¢291 million and US$332,000 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies.
According to the OSP, the money was taken even though the accused allegedly had no legal authority to demand or receive it.
Those standing trial with Dr Abdul Hamid include Jacob Kwamina Amuah, a former Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, Wendy Newman of the NPA’s audit unit, Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah and Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah.
Three companies have also been named in the case: Propnest Limited, KEL Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited.
The OSP has not yet indicated whether it will accept the fourth accused person’s request to become a prosecution witness.
