The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed 25 criminal charges against seven individuals and three companies, including former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, for their alleged roles in a massive GH¢280 million extortion and money laundering scheme.
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In a statement issued on Thursday, July 17, the OSP said its investigations uncovered a coordinated operation, active between 2022 and December 2024, that illegally extracted payments from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies under the pretense of regulatory oversight.
The key accused are:
- Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former NPA CEO
- Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Former Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund
- Wendy Newman – NPA Staff Member
According to the OSP, Amuah allegedly transferred GH¢24 million directly to Abdul-Hamid and channeled GH¢227.2 million through Newman. These funds were illicitly collected and lacked any legal justification.
Companies Used to Launder Millions
The OSP revealed that directors of Kel Logistics, Kings Energy, and Propnest Ltd. were complicit in laundering the illegal proceeds. The money was used to purchase properties, construct fuel stations, and acquire oil trucks, all part of an effort to conceal the funds’ criminal origin.
A director of Kel Logistics, Osei Tutu Adjei, is reportedly on the run.
Charges Filed
The accused face 25 charges, including:
- Extortion by a Public Officer
- Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
- Money Laundering
These charges fall under the Criminal Offences Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The suspects have been detained and are expected to appear before the High Court for plea proceedings.
“We are committed to prosecuting corruption-related offences without fear or favour,” the OSP stressed.
