The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has brought charges against seven individuals and three companies in connection with a GHC280 million extortion and money laundering scheme allegedly orchestrated within the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
Among those charged is former NPA Chief Executive Officer Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, along with current and former employees of the Authority and directors of private companies suspected of facilitating the laundering of illicit funds.
According to the OSP, the charges follow extensive investigations initiated in late 2024 into the diversion of public resources and collusion between NPA officials and certain oil marketing and bulk distribution companies.
Individuals and Companies Charged:
- Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former CEO, NPA
- Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Coordinator, Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF); MD of Propnest, Kel Logistics, and Kings Energy
- Wendy Newman – Staff, NPA
- Albert Ankrah – Director, Kel Logistics Limited
- Isaac Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics Limited
- Bright Bediako-Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics and Kings Energy Limited
- Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah – Director, Kings Energy Limited
Charged Companies:
- Propnest Limited
- Kel Logistics Limited
- Kings Energy Limited
Details of the Alleged Offenses:
Between 2022 and December 2024, Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman allegedly abused their positions at the NPA to carry out an extortion scheme that unlawfully extracted GHC280,516,127.19 from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies.
The scheme is said to have been initiated by Abdul-Hamid and executed through Amuah and Newman without any legal authority. The OSP alleges that Amuah directly transferred GHC24 million to Abdul-Hamid between January and December 2024, while another GHC227.2 million was routed through Newman under Amuah’s direction.
The other accused parties are alleged to have conspired with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics to launder the proceeds through the three named companies. The illicit funds were reportedly used to purchase real estate, oil distribution trucks, and construct fuel stations, all aimed at concealing the source of the money.
Charges Filed:
All ten accused—comprising seven individuals and three companies—face a total of 25 charges, 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 of the suspects, Osei Tutu Adjei, a director of Kel Logistics Limited, remains at large and is being pursued by authorities.
Next Steps:
The arrested individuals are expected to appear before the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra, where their pleas will be taken on a date yet to be announced.
The OSP reiterated its commitment to combating corruption and urged all public institutions to maintain vigilance and report any suspected misconduct.
