The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed multiple charges against the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, six other individuals, and three companies over an alleged GH¢280 million extortion and money laundering scheme.
The accused have been arraigned before the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra following months of investigations into alleged corruption within the NPA.
The individuals and companies facing trial are:
1. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former CEO of the NPA
2. Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Coordinator, Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at the NPA; Managing Director of Propnest, Kel Logistics, and Kings Energy
3. Wendy Newman – NPA staff
4. Albert Ankrah – Director, Kel Logistics Limited
5. Isaac Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics Limited
6. Bright Bediako-Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics and Kings Energy Limited
7. Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah – Director, Kings Energy Limited
8. Propnest Limited
9. Kel Logistics Limited
10. Kings Energy Limited
According to the OSP, between 2022 and December 2024, the first three accused persons, Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman, allegedly used their positions at the NPA to unlawfully extort GH¢280,516,127.19 from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies.
The extortion scheme, which had no lawful mandate, was reportedly initiated by Abdul-Hamid and implemented by Amuah and Newman.
“Investigations further revealed that the fourth to seventh accused persons, in collaboration with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics Limited, created and Utilised Properties Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd. as vehicles for laundering the illicit proceeds.
“The laundered funds were used to purchase and construct houses, acquire trucks for an oil distribution business, and build fuel stations, all as part of efforts to conceal and disguise the origin of the criminal proceeds.
“All 7 individuals and three companies have been charged with a total of 25 counts, including:
“Extortion by a Public Officer, contrary to Section 151 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
“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) Money Laundering, contrary to Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of Act 1044,” part of the statement said.
The statement added, “One Osei Tutu Adjei, a director of the ninth accused company is currently at large. The accused persons have been apprehended and are set to appear on a date to be determined by the court for their pleas to be taken.
“The OSP reaffirms its commitment to investigating and prosecuting corruption and corruption-related offences without fear or favour, and urges all public institutions to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of corruption.”
Read the full statement below:
