By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially seven individuals, including the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), six others, and three companies, a statement released here said.
According to the statement, the seven individuals and three companies have been charged with extortion and money laundering.
OSP Charges & Allegations
- The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed 25 criminal charges against seven individuals and three corporate entities in a major extortion and money‑laundering scheme within the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
- Central to the allegations is former NPA CEO Dr. Mustapha Abdul‑Hamid, accused of conspiring with Jacob Kwamina Amuah (former UPPF Coordinator) and Wendy Newman (an NPA staff member) to unlawfully collect GH₵280,516,127.19 between 2022 and December 2024.
- According to prosecutors, GH₵24 million was handed directly to Abdul‑Hamid; GH₵227.2 million was routed via Newman under Amuah’s direction. The remaining individuals and the three companies (Propnest Ltd, Kel Logistics Ltd, Kings Energy Ltd) allegedly laundered the funds through real estate, fuel stations, and trucks to disguise the illicit origin.
People and Organizations Charged
- Individuals:
- Mustapha Abdul‑Hamid (former NPA CEO)
- Jacob Kwamina Amuah (UPPF Coordinator; also MD of implicated firms)
- Wendy Newman (NPA staff)
- Albert Ankrah (Director, Kel Logistics)
- Isaac Mensah (Director, Kel Logistics)
- Bright Bediako‑Mensah (Director, Kel Logistics & Kings Energy)
- Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah (Director, Kings Energy)
- Companies:
- Propnest Limited
- Kel Logistics Limited
- Kings Energy Limited
- One director (Osei Tutu Adjei) from Kel Logistics is currently at large.
Court Timeline
- All accused (except the fugitive) have been released on inquiry bail.
- Their initial High Court appearance is scheduled for July 23, 2025, before Criminal Division 3 of the Accra High Court, where pleas will be taken.
Defense Response
- Dr. Abdul‑Hamid’s legal team has denied all allegations, stating he has not yet been formally served with any charge sheet. They dispute the shifting nature of the accusations, noting earlier OSP claims (in February 2025) targeted alleged embezzlement of GH₵1.3 billion, before narrowing to the extortion claims involving GH₵280 million.
- The defense also points to audited financial records showing growth in key NPA funds during Abdul‑Hamid’s tenure—e.g., the UPPF reportedly grew from GH₵53.2 million in 2021 to GH₵1.14 billion by end‑2024, contradicting allegations of mismanagement.
Overview
This represents one of Ghana’s most significant corruption prosecutions in recent years, testing the country’s anticorruption institutions. The OSP alleges that public officeholders abused their regulatory powers to extort and launder enormous sums while operating shell companies to conceal illicit gains.
Dr. Abdul‑Hamid’s team remains adamant in denying wrongdoing and vows to contest the charges. The case will formally begin when the accused appears in court on July 23, 2025, for plea-taking.
Would you like details about the legal framework (e.g., extortion under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, anti‑money laundering laws) or profiles of the other accused? Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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