Mustapha Abdul-Hamid trial adjourned over legal vacation challenge

The trial of former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) chief executive Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and seven others has been adjourned to August 27, pending a Supreme Court decision on whether the case can continue during Ghana's legal vacation.

The injunction application challenging the directive for selected criminal cases to be heard during the vacation is due to be considered by the Supreme Court on Thursday, August 20.

The outcome could determine whether the trial resumes next week or is deferred until the new legal year begins in October.

The Accra High Court had previously rejected a request by lawyers for four of the accused to suspend proceedings and resume the case in October.

Instead, the court ordered the trial to continue during the legal vacation under a warrant issued by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.

The warrant allows selected high-profile criminal cases to be heard during the normally quieter court period.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which is prosecuting the case, alleges that Dr Abdul-Hamid and the other accused unlawfully obtained money from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies in Ghana's petroleum sector.

All eight accused have denied the allegations.

The case will now return to court on August 27, subject to the Supreme Court's determination of the injunction application.

The legal challenge is part of a wider dispute over the authority to require judges to hear criminal cases during the legal vacation.