OSP charges 10 in GHS280m NPA corruption scheme
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has charged seven individuals and three companies in connection with a sprawling GHC280 million extortion and money laundering scheme allegedly orchestrated within the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
The accused include the former Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, along with current and former staff of the Authority and directors of private companies suspected of facilitating the laundering of illicit funds.
According to a statement released by the OSP, the charges stem from investigations launched in late 2024 into the large-scale diversion of public funds, and collusion between NPA officials and certain oil marketing and bulk distribution companies.
The individuals charged include Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former CEO of the NPA; Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) and Managing Director of Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited; Wendy Newman, staff member of the NPA; Albert Ankrah, Director of Kel Logistics Limited; Isaac Mensah, Director of Kel Logistics Limited; Bright Bediako-Mensah, Director of Kel Logistics and Kings Energy; and Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah, Director of Kings Energy Limited.
The charged corporate entities are Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited.
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Between 2022 and December 2024, Dr. Abdul-Hamid, Mr. Amuah, and Ms. Newman allegedly used their official positions to operate an illegal extortion ring, siphoning over GHS280 million from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies under the guise of official duties.
The scheme was reportedly masterminded by Dr. Abdul-Hamid and executed by Mr. Amuah and Ms. Newman without lawful authority. The trio allegedly exploited their roles within the NPA to demand and collect payments from industry players.
Mr. Amuah is accused of delivering GHS24 million in cashto Dr. Abdul-Hamid between January and December 2024. Additionally, GHS227.2 million was allegedly funneled through Ms. Newman for further distribution under Mr. Amuah’s direction.
The other accused individuals allegedly conspired with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics Ltd., Osei Tutu Adjei (currently at large), to launder the proceeds through the three indicted companies.
These funds were reportedly used to acquire real estate, fuel tankers, and establish fuel stations, thereby concealing the illicit origins of the money.
In total, the ten accused face 25 criminal 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); and money laundering, contrary to Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of Act 1044.
The suspects are expected to appear before the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra on a date yet to be announced, where formal charges will be presented and pleas taken.
The OSP reaffirmed its commitment to combating corruption at all levels and urged public institutions to remain vigilant and report suspected wrongdoing.
