The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) CEO, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and nine others with extortion and money laundering offenses amounting to GH¢280,516,127.19. The accused include seven individuals and three corporate entities, who face a total of 25 charges.
Accused Individuals and Companies
– Individuals:
– Mustapha Abdul-Hamid: Former CEO of NPA
– Jacob Kwamina Amuah: Coordinator of Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at NPA and Managing Director of Propnest, Kel Logistics, and Kings Energy
– Wendy Newman: NPA staff member
– 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
– Companies:
– Propnest Limited
– Kel Logistics Limited
– Kings Energy Limited
The OSP alleges that between 2022 and December 2024, Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman conspired to extort illicit payments from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies without any lawful mandate. Amuah is accused of handing GH¢24 million directly to Abdul-Hamid, while GH¢227.2 million was funneled through Newman for further disbursement.
The accused face charges 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
The accused are expected to appear before the High Court for their plea hearings in the coming days. The OSP has reaffirmed its commitment to investigating and prosecuting corruption-related crimes without fear or Favour