The Accra High Court has issued a firm directive to Judge Francis Apangabuno Achibonga to continue presiding over the trial of former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and five other individuals, until the Chief Justice can revoke the warrant authorizing him to remain in court indefinitely. This decision follows a plea from lawyers representing the accused, asserting their right to continue the proceedings until the Justice’s order is issued.
The case, initially scheduled to conclude within the legal vacation period spanning August and September, now involves a protracted legal battle. The defense counsel, representing the five accused, has repeatedly requested to be adjourned to October, citing personal commitments, prompting the presiding judge to concede to the request, stating that the court would continue to hear the proceedings until the Chief Justice issues a warrant.
Judge Achibonga emphasized that the court’s commitment to its duties is unwavering, and that the proceedings are currently underway until the Chief Justice’s order is formally revoked. He stated that the court’s decision to continue the hearing is a direct result of the Chief Justice’s directive, which effectively bars any potential rescheduling of the case.
The defense counsel explained that the court’s decision was made during the legal vacation, with the lawyers requesting an extension to October. However, the judge maintained that the court would continue to sit and conduct hearings until the Chief Justice issues the warrant, which effectively halts any possibility of the case being adjourned.
Furthermore, the court acknowledged the legal representation arrangement involving the lawyers, emphasizing the importance of the accused persons having the opportunity to represent themselves. The prosecution, led by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has accused Dr. Abdul-Hamid and two NPA officials, Mr. Jacob Kwamina Amuah, a coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF), and Ms. Wendy Newman, a staff member of the authority, of conspiring to extort GH¢291,574,087.19 and $323,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between 2022 and December 2024. The prosecution contends this scheme targeted players in the petroleum downstream sector, involving alleged unlawful collection of funds under various pretexts.
The prosecution also charges Mr. Amuah, directly, with handing GH¢24 million to Dr. Abdul-Hamid between January and December 2024, a sum that prosecutors say represents a significant portion of the alleged extortion funds. The prosecution further alleges that Mr. Amuah directly received GH¢230,000 from one haulage company. Investigators have identified Mr. Mensa, Mr. Bediako-Mensah, and Mr. Acquaah, along with an associate identified as Adjei, as key figures in this alleged scheme, who worked in collaboration with Mr. Amuah and Ms. Newman to establish and operate three companies through which the alleged funds were laundered. These companies allegedly involved acquisitions, property purchases, and fuel filling station construction, all designed to conceal the illicit origin of the funds and evade legal consequences.
The OSP has charged Mr. Amuah and Ms. Newman with devising and executing a scheme to extract money from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies. The prosecution alleges that Mr. Amuah directly handed GH¢24 million to Dr. Abdul-Hamid between January and December 2024, which prosecutors say formed part of the proceeds of the alleged extortion scheme. The prosecution also alleges that Mr. Amuah directly received GH¢230,000 from one haulage company. The prosecution further alleges that Mr. Mensa, Mr. Bediako-Mensah, and Mr. Acquaah, along with another associate identified only as Adjei, worked with Mr. Amuah and Ms. Newman to establish and operate three companies through which the alleged proceeds were laundered. The prosecution has also stated that Mr. Amuah and Ms. Newman transferred various sums of money directly to the companies and funded the purchase and construction of houses, the purchase of trucks for the oil distribution business, and the construction of fuel filling stations, all of which were allegedly designed to conceal or disguise the illicit origin of the proceeds and evade the legal consequences of the unlawful activity. The OSP has stated that Mr. Amuah and Ms. Newman transferred various sums of money directly to the companies and funded the purchase and construction of houses, the purchase of trucks for the oil distribution business, and the construction of fuel filling stations, all of which were allegedly designed to conceal or disguise the illicit origin of the proceeds and evade the legal consequences of the unlawful activity. The prosecution has stated that the funds were moved through various financial transfers and used to acquire movable and immovable property, allegedly to conceal or disguise the illicit origin of the proceeds and evade the legal consequences of the unlawful activity.
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Source: Adom Online
