The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, six other individuals, and three companies will stand trial on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, over their alleged involvement in a GH¢280 million extortion and money laundering scheme.
According to the OSP, the accused persons will appear before Criminal Division 3 of the High Court in Accra. All ten accused parties are currently on OSP inquiry bail.
The charges stem from months of investigations into alleged large-scale corruption within the NPA. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) titled “Republic v Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and 9 Others,” the OSP confirmed the upcoming court date and provided further details of the case.
Individuals:
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Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former CEO, NPA
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Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at the NPA; also Managing Director of Propnest Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd.
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Wendy Newman – NPA staff
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Albert Ankrah – Director, Kel Logistics Ltd.
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Isaac Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics Ltd.
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Bright Bediako-Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics and Kings Energy Ltd.
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Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah – Director, Kings Energy Ltd.
Companies:
8. Propnest Limited
9. Kel Logistics Limited
10. Kings Energy Limited
The OSP alleges that between 2022 and December 2024, Dr. Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman used their official positions at the NPA to unlawfully extort a total of GH¢280,516,127.19 from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies. The extortion, said to have no legal backing, was allegedly orchestrated by Dr. Abdul-Hamid and executed by Amuah and Newman.
Further investigations revealed that the remaining accused individuals conspired with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics Ltd. to launder the illicit funds through the three companies—Propnest, Kel Logistics, and Kings Energy. The laundered proceeds were reportedly used to acquire real estate, purchase fuel trucks, and construct fuel stations in an effort to conceal the origin of the money.
The accused face 25 counts in total, including:
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Extortion by a Public Officer, contrary to Section 151 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
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Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, contrary to Section 23 of Act 29 and Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)
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Money Laundering, contrary to Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of Act 1044
One individual, Osei Tutu Adjei, identified as a director of Kel Logistics Ltd., is currently on the run.
The OSP emphasized that all accused persons have been apprehended and will appear in court for the formal taking of their pleas.
Reaffirming its mandate, the OSP reiterated its dedication to fighting corruption and urged public institutions and citizens to report any suspected acts of corruption.
