The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed multiple criminal charges against former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, six other individuals, and three companies in connection with an alleged GH¢280 million extortion and money laundering scheme.
The accused were arraigned before the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra following months of extensive investigations into high-level corruption within the petroleum regulatory body.
Accused Individuals and Companies:
1. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former CEO, NPA
2. Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Coordinator, Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF); MD of Propnest, Kel Logistics, and Kings Energy
3. Wendy Newman – NPA staff
4. Albert Ankrah – Director, Kel Logistics Ltd.
5. Isaac Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics Ltd.
6. Bright Bediako-Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics and Kings Energy Ltd.
7. Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah – Director, Kings Energy Ltd.
8. Propnest Ltd.
9. Kel Logistics Ltd.
10. Kings Energy Ltd.
According to the OSP’s statement, between 2022 and December 2024, Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman unlawfully extorted GH¢280,516,127.19 from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies under the guise of regulatory activities — a scheme that had no legal basis.
“The extortion scheme was initiated by Abdul-Hamid and implemented by Amuah and Newman,” the OSP disclosed.
Money Laundering Allegations
The OSP further revealed that the remaining accused individuals allegedly collaborated with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics Ltd. to launder the illicit proceeds. The funds were used to purchase and build houses, acquire oil trucks, and construct fuel stations — all designed to conceal the criminal origins of the money.
The companies Propnest Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd. were allegedly used as fronts to channel and disguise the funds.
Charges Filed
The ten accused parties are facing 25 criminal counts, including:
• Extortion by a Public Officer – under Section 151 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
• Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering – under Section 23 of Act 29 and Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)
• Money Laundering – under Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of Act 1044
One individual, Osei Tutu Adjei, a director of Kel Logistics Ltd., is currently at large.
The accused have been taken into custody and are expected to appear before the court on a date to be announced for their pleas to be taken.
OSP Reaffirms Commitment
In its statement, the OSP reiterated its unwavering commitment to tackling corruption at all levels of public service:
“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.”
This case is one of the largest corruption prosecutions by the OSP to date and is expected to be closely watched as it unfolds in court.
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