Former NPA Boss, Officials Charged Over Alleged GHS280mn Extortion and Money Laundering Scheme

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has dragged seven individuals, including former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Officer Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and three companies before the High Court in Accra on multiple charges of extortion and money laundering involving over GHS280 million.

According to the OSP, investigations uncovered a sprawling corruption scheme operated between 2022 and December 2024 by the accused persons acting under the guise of their official positions.

The list of accused includes:

Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former NPA CEO

Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) and MD of Propnest, Kel Logistics, and Kings Energy

Wendy Newman – NPA staff

Albert Ankrah – Director, Kel Logistics

Isaac Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics

Bright Bediako-Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics and Kings Energy

Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah – Director, Kings Energy

The OSP revealed that Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman allegedly orchestrated an unlawful extortion scheme, collecting GHS280,516,127.19 from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies without legal mandate.

“Between January and December 2024, Amuah is alleged to have handed GHS24 million directly to Abdul-Hamid,” the statement indicated. An additional GHS227.2 million was allegedly channelled through Newman for further disbursement under Amuah’s direction.

Investigators said they also uncovered a complex money laundering web. The accused directors of Kel Logistics Limited, together with a fugitive director, allegedly created and used Propnest Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd. as vehicles for laundering the illicit proceeds. The funds were reportedly used to build fuel stations, acquire trucks, and purchase or construct residential properties to conceal their criminal origins.

The OSP has charged them with 25 counts, including extortion by a public officer, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money Laundering.

One suspect, Osei Tutu Adjei, a director of Kel Logistics, remains at large. The OSP emphasised its unwavering commitment to rooting out corruption, stating:

“The OSP reaffirms its commitment to investigating and prosecuting corruption and corruption-related offences without fear or favour, and urges all public institutions to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of corruption.”

The accused are expected to appear before the High Court soon for their pleas to be taken.

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