The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed criminal charges against seven individuals and three companies in a money laundering scandal, including the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid.
This follows a far-reaching investigation into an alleged extortion and money laundering scandal within the petroleum sector involving GH¢280,516,127.19. In a statement released on Thursday, July 17, the OSP detailed the results of an inquiry launched in late 2024 into what it describes as a “sprawling extortion and money laundering scheme.”
The investigation revealed an alleged diversion of public funds and collusion between NPA officials and private sector actors, including oil marketing and petroleum transport companies.
Key Accused Named in the Money Laundering Scandal
The accused persons include:
- Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former CEO, NPA
- Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Coordinator, Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF), and Managing Director of Propnest Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd.
- Wendy Newman – NPA Staff Member
- Albert Ankrah – Director, Kel Logistics Ltd.
- Isaac Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics Ltd.
- Bright Bediako-Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics Ltd. and Kings Energy Ltd.
- Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah – Director, Kings Energy Ltd.
- Propnest Ltd.
- Kel Logistics Ltd.
- Kings Energy Ltd.
An eleventh individual, Osei Tutu Adjei, identified as a director of Kel Logistics Ltd., is currently at large and being pursued by law enforcement authorities.
The Alleged Scheme
According to the OSP, between 2022 and December 2024, Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman acted in their official capacities at the NPA to orchestrate an illegal payment scheme. The trio is alleged to have extorted money from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies under the pretext of regulatory enforcement.
“The scheme… lacked any lawful mandate and exploited their positions within the NPA,” the OSP stated, adding that GH¢280,516,127.19 was unlawfully collected.
The statement revealed that GH¢24 million was handed directly by Amuah to Abdul-Hamid between January and December 2024. A further GH¢227.2 million was channelled through Wendy Newman, acting under Amuah’s instruction.
The remaining accused persons—directors of the three private companies—are alleged to have laundered the illicit funds. These proceeds were reportedly used to acquire real estate, construct fuel stations, and purchase oil trucks, as part of efforts to conceal the origin of the money.
“These companies were created and used to conceal and disguise the origin of criminal proceeds,” the OSP revealed.
Charges Filed
All ten accused—seven individuals and three companies—face a total of 25 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 OSP emphasised that those arrested are expected to appear before the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra for their pleas to be taken on a date to be announced.
OSP’s Position
The Office of the Special Prosecutor reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to holding public officers accountable.
“The scheme… lacked any lawful mandate and exploited their positions within the NPA,” the OSP stated.
“These companies were created and used to conceal and disguise the origin of criminal proceeds,” he added.
The OSP further urged public institutions and citizens to report wrongdoing, stressing that it would continue to prosecute corruption-related offences “without fear or favour.”
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