A major shift has occurred in the high-profile alleged extortion case linked to former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) CEO, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, as the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has withdrawn all charges against two accused persons.
Albert Ankrah, a director at KEL Logistics, and Isaac Mensah of King’s Energy Limited, previously facing prosecution, have now agreed to testify for the state, becoming key witnesses in the ongoing trial. The prosecution revealed that the two voluntarily approached the OSP, offering to cooperate and provide evidence in court, prompting the withdrawal of charges against them.
Presiding judge, Justice Francis Apangar Achibonga, confirmed the prosecution’s request, noting that the court will consider how the testimony of the new witnesses will impact the trial’s proceedings.
Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, along with nine co-accused including senior NPA officials and private company representatives, remains in court facing 54 criminal counts, such as extortion, abuse of public office, and money laundering. The case alleges the illegal acquisition of over GH¢291 million and US$332,000 from petroleum companies between December 2022 and December 2024.
Observers say the transformation of Ankrah and Mensah into state witnesses marks a dramatic turn in the case and could significantly strengthen the prosecution’s position.
