Mustapha Hamid’s ₵2m bail not too harsh –Lawyer

Former NPA CEO granted bail in extortion case

Dr. Abdul-Hamid, the embattled former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has been granted bail by the Accra High Court in a high-profile case involving allegations of extortion and abuse of office. The court, presided over by Justice Ellen Mireku, set the bail at GHS2 million with two sureties—one of whom must be justified.

According to the bail conditions, one surety must be a civil servant earning at least GHS 5,000 monthly. Dr. Abdul-Hamid was also ordered to deposit his passport with the court and report to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) twice a week.

Legal team welcomes decision

Joseph Dindiork Kpemka, lead counsel for Dr. Abdul-Hamid and a former Deputy Attorney-General, commended the court for its decision. Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM shortly after the hearing on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Kpemka described the bail conditions as fair and proportionate.

“We are grateful to the court for showing fairness and granting bail. The conditions are reasonable and not excessive considering the nature of the allegations,” Kpemka stated.

Allegations and plea

Dr. Abdul-Hamid, who previously served as Minister for Information and is a respected academic, pleaded not guilty to all charges leveled against him. The charges, brought by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, allege that he extorted large sums of money from petroleum sector players under the guise of granting regulatory clearance.

Prosecutors claim the former NPA boss used his position to coerce companies, allegedly threatening to delay or deny approval for those who failed to meet his demands.

Defense denies charges, Claims political motive

In his defense, Dr. Abdul-Hamid has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing his reputation. His legal team maintains that there is no basis for the charges and is prepared to contest them rigorously in court.

Next steps

The case has been adjourned to August 12, 2025, for case management and further legal proceedings. Until then, Dr. Abdul-Hamid will continue to adhere to his bail conditions, including regular reporting to the OSP.