I Came to Support My Friend Wontumi; My Case Is Useless, There’s Nothing in It — Mustapha Hamid

Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former head of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has attracted attention after a video emerged showing him smiling as he departed the Criminal 4 Division of the High Court in Accra.

The footage, posted on Okay 101.7 FM’s Facebook page, shows the former NPA chief exchanging handshakes before making a brief remark to journalists about his reason for attending court.

Abdul-Hamid reportedly said he was there to support his friend, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, while insisting that the case against him lacked substance.

“I came to support my friend Wontumi — my matter is useless, there’s nothing in it,” he was quoted as saying.

The former NPA chief is facing 54 corruption-related counts alongside nine other individuals. The charges relate to alleged extortion, abuse of office and money laundering involving sums reportedly exceeding GH¢291.5 million and US$332,407.

His court appearance took place as proceedings continued in the case involving Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who has been charged over alleged illegal mining operations associated with Akonta Mining Limited.

The accusations against Wontumi include conducting mining activities without the necessary licence, cutting trees in a forest reserve and putting up structures within a protected area. He has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.

Court records and reports indicate that Wontumi briefly faced a bench warrant on October 28, 2025, after failing to attend a scheduled hearing. The warrant was later rescinded when he appeared in court with his lawyer, who reportedly told the court they had not known proceedings would commence at 9 a.m.

He is also said to be under a court order restricting international travel without prior authorisation.

In a related development, Edward Akuoko, one of the individuals initially charged alongside Wontumi, has reportedly had his charges dropped by the Attorney-General. He is also said to be assisting the state in the case as a witness.

Separately, Abdul-Hamid and nine other NPA officials remain defendants in the criminal proceedings known as The Republic v Mustapha Abdul-Hamid & 9 Ors (Cr/0603/2025).

According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the accused allegedly used their official positions to obtain money from bulk petroleum transporters and oil marketing firms through unlawful demands presented as part of their official duties.

The prosecution further claims that the alleged proceeds were used to purchase properties and vehicles, establish fuel stations and create business entities intended to disguise the source of the funds. The state has reportedly seized or frozen assets worth more than GH¢100 million believed to be connected to the alleged offences.

Abdul-Hamid’s decision to attend Wontumi’s court proceedings has generated discussion because both individuals are facing separate high-profile cases involving allegations of wrongdoing.

The legal proceedings remain ongoing, and the allegations against the accused have yet to be finally determined by the courts.