The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged seven individuals and three companies over an alleged GHC280 million extortion and money laundering scheme linked to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
Among the accused is former NPA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, alongside current and former NPA officials and directors of private companies believed to have facilitated the laundering of illicit funds.
According to a statement released by the OSP on Thursday, July 17, the charges stem from investigations launched in late 2024 into suspected collusion between NPA officials and some oil marketing and bulk distribution companies, which resulted in the diversion of substantial public funds.
Accused Persons and Entities:
1. Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former CEO, NPA
2. Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF), and 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, from 2022 to December 2024, Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman allegedly operated an extortion scheme under the guise of official duties, siphoning over GHC280.5 million from petroleum transporters and oil marketing firms.
The operation, reportedly initiated by Abdul-Hamid, was executed by Amuah and Newman without legal authority. The OSP alleges that Amuah personally delivered GHC24 million to Abdul-Hamid in 2024, while Newman processed an additional GHC227.2 million, which was disbursed under Amuah’s direction.
The remaining accused individuals are said to have collaborated with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics to launder the proceeds through the three implicated companies.
The laundered funds were allegedly used to acquire real estate, fuel tankers, and construct fuel stations, effectively concealing the origins of the illicit money.
The ten accused parties face a total of 25 charges, including:
1. Extortion by a Public Officer, under Section 151 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
2. 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)
3. Money Laundering, under Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of Act 1044
One of the accused, Osei Tutu Adjei, a director of Kel Logistics Limited, is currently at large and is being pursued by law enforcement.
All accused individuals are expected to appear before the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra, where they will be formally arraigned.
The OSP reiterated its commitment to rooting out corruption and urged public institutions and individuals to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Story By: Nana Antwi Boasiako
