OSP confirms millions in seized and frozen assets linked to Mustapha Hamid
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has confirmed the seizure and freezing of assets worth over GH₵100 million in connection with the ongoing prosecution of former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and others.
This follows counterclaims by lawyers for the embattled former NPA CEO, denying the OSP’s earlier report announcing the seizure of assets and businesses connected to Mustapha Hamid.
The seized properties, detailed in the OSP’s seizure reports, have been categorized into those already confirmed by the court and a larger list of assets yet to be confirmed by the court.
According to the report, the court has already confirmed the seizure of five heavy-duty vehicles, all identified as fuel tanker trucks or articulator heads. The list includes four HOWO TX/T5G 340 SINOTRUCK tankers and one HOWO SITRAK G7 semi-trailer combination, registration plates predominantly from 2023 and 2024.
Assets yet to be confirmed by court
An extensive list of seized assets described as “yet to be confirmed by court,” shows significant investment in real estate and the downstream petroleum sector, with several properties categorized as Individual and Other.
The yet to be confirmed individual properties include a Mercedes Benz GLE 450 (Registration ML 1972-23), and an undeveloped land at Community 19, Tema West (Plot Nos. 13A & 14).
Other Properties – Real Estate
The OSP has seized a collection of residential properties, including multiple apartment units in The Signature and Loxwood House in East Legon; The Lennox, near the Airport; The Monarch, The Bantree, and Beyond Residence in Airport Residential and Roman Ridge areas.
The list also reveals several uncompleted units in The Atlas complex at Airport City and The Address, at Roman Ridge.
Seized residential blocks and land also include a two-storey building in Adjiringanor, a six-unit uncompleted block in Agbogba, and multiple parcels of undeveloped land in Haatso, North Legon, Legon, Odorkor, Adenta, and Kumasi.
Assets in the downstream petroleum also include four completed Kings Energy filling stations located in Millennium City, Lapaz, Opelkuma, and Dansoman, and five additional fuel tanker trucks and articulator heads.
The Office noted that efforts to identify and trace further assets are ongoing.
Background
The former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid is on trial for what the OSP has described as serious charges supported by extensive evidence of corruption and financial misconduct.
These charges, according to the OSP, include:
- Conspiracy to Commit Extortion by a Public Officer — jointly with two NPA officials, for allegedly 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 — involving the unlawful receipt of GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000 from oil transporters and haulage firms under the guise of official duties.
- Two counts of Using Public Office for Profit — for allegedly abusing his position for personal gain, enriching himself unlawfully with GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000.
- Money Laundering — for allegedly possessing GH¢15,343,251.29 suspected to be proceeds of crime and disproportionate to his known legitimate income.
According to the OSP, Dr. Abdul-Hamid is alleged to have played a central role in a grand extortion and money-laundering scheme that caused the State and the petroleum sector losses exceeding GH¢291 million and over US$330,000.
About The Author
