NPA, Buffer stock trials reassigned to new court, adjourned to March 10

The trials of two major corruption cases involving former heads of state agencies have been reassigned to new courts, with hearings postponed to March 10, 2026, due to procedural issues.

The NPA extortion trial, involving Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, and nine others accused of extorting GH¢291 million, has been moved from Criminal Court 4 to Criminal Court 3, where it was initially assigned.

Similarly, the case involving former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Ludiba and his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, who are accused of embezzling GH¢78 million, has also been reassigned from Criminal Court 4 to Criminal Court 3.

Both matters, currently at the case management stage, were adjourned after it was revealed that the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had not been properly served with hearing notices. In the NPA trial, the OSP, which is prosecuting the case, did not receive the notice, even though all the accused appeared in court. In the Buffer Stock case, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Ludiba and his lawyers were not served, although his wife was notified.

After consulting with defense lawyers, the court adjourned both cases to March 10 for continuation of case management. All defense teams confirmed receipt of disclosures from the OSP.

The NPA case involves 54 criminal charges against Dr. Abdul-Hamid and nine others, including seven individuals and three companies. They are alleged to have extorted GH¢291.574 million and $332,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and distributors. Charges include extortion by a public officer, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. One suspect, Osei Tutu Adjei, remains at large.

The Buffer Stock trial involves Hanan Abdul-Wahab, Faiza Seidu Wuni, Richard Sam-Asante, and two companies linked to the couple, the Ludiba Foundation and Energy Partners Limited. The five face 24 counts, including stealing, fraud, money laundering, defrauding by false pretences, and intentional dissipation of public funds. Investigations allege that between 2017 and 2025, Hanan Abdul-Wahab transferred GH¢50.879 million from NAFCO to James Tieku-Apawu, operating under Sawtina Enterprise. Faiza Seidu Wuni allegedly laundered over GH¢34 million and received additional misappropriated funds, while Richard Sam-Asante is accused of conspiring to steal GH¢5.5 million between 2017 and 2019.