The Pre-trial hearing in the case in which the former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and nine others are standing trial for extortion has been referred to the Court Registry for reassignment.
This follows the introduction of a special Court session by the Chief Justice for some specific cases.
The former NPA boss, charged together with nine others – including three companies, by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on 54 counts, have pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail.
In court on Monday, February 9, 2026, when Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay called for a Case Management Conference, the parties were referred to the registry after an in-camera session.
Special Courts session
Under the hands of the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, a special Court session has been introduced, beginning Monday, February 9, 2026.
This initiative comes with an adjustment in the hours of Court sessions, with working hours of the High Court extended from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
In a circular signed by the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie on February 5, 2026, it is stated, “By virtue of the powers conferred on me by sub-section 3 of section 14 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), I hereby establish a Division of the High Court to be known as the Specialised High Court Division.”
The Division shall consist of such Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature as shall from time to time be assigned to sit in it.
Cases for Specialised Courts
The cases that are to be handled under the specialized High Courts includes
Causes or matters, criminal or civil, emanating from the Reports of the Auditor-General.
Causes or matters, criminal or civil, relating to the provision of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
Causes or matters, criminal or civil, relating to degradation of the Environment.
Causes or matters, criminal or civil, arising under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959)
Causes or matters, criminal or civil, involving recovery of property in which the state has an interest.
Causes or matters arising under the Narcotic Drugs (Control,Enforcement and Sanctions) Law, 1990 (PNDCL 236).
Causes or matters arising under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act,1038)
Such other causes or matters as the Chief Justice may by writing direct.
Background
The former NPA boss, and others on Monday, December 9, 2025, before Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.
Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and the other accused persons are alleged of misusing his position and engaging in money laundering activities, totaling GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47.
The amended charge sheet lists 54 criminal counts against officials of the NPA and several associated companies for alleged large-scale extortion, abuse of public office, and money laundering.
It is the case of the OSP that, between December 2022 and December 2024, Dr Abdul-Hamid, Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, and Wendy Newman, a staff member of the NPA Audit Department, allegedly used their positions to extort money from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies without any lawful authority.
Per the brief facts, OSP’s investigations have revealed that the illicit funds were laundered through three companies, Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited, allegedly owned or managed by some of the accused persons.
The funds were reportedly used to purchase and construct houses, acquire trucks for oil distribution, and build fuel stations in an attempt to conceal the proceeds.
All of them have been granted bail and have met their respective bail conditions.
