The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has withdrawn charges against two defendants in the ongoing extortion case involving former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, according to myjoyonline.com report.

According to the news report on March 24, 2026, one Albert Ankrah, a director at KEL Logistics and Isaac Mensah of King’s Energy Limited, who were previously among the accused, have now been converted into prosecution witnesses.

The report explained that, the pair voluntarily approached the OSP through their lawyers, offering to cooperate with investigators and testify in court.

Justice Francis Apangar Achibonga of the Accra High Court, Criminal Court Three, granted the prosecution’s request, paving the way for Ankrah and Mensah’s testimony to potentially reshape the trajectory of the trial.

Both men were seen leaving the courtroom visibly relieved after the announcement.

Dr Abdul-Hamid, who appeared calm during proceedings, continues to face charges alongside nine co-accused persons, including senior NPA officials and three private companies.

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Together, they stand trial on 54 criminal counts ranging from extortion and abuse of public office to money laundering.

The prosecution alleges that between December 2022 and December 2024, the accused conspired to extort more than GH¢291 million and US$332,000 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies without lawful authority.

Those charged include Jacob Kwamina Amuah, former Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF); Wendy Newman, an NPA audit staffer; Bright Bediako-Mensah; and Kwaku Aboagye Acquah. The companies cited are Propnest Limited, KEL Logistics Limited and King’s Energy Limited.

AM/VPO

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