Ghana's OSP charges former NPA boss over GH₵280m extortion and money laundering scheme

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally charged the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, along with nine others, over their alleged involvement in a wide-ranging extortion and money laundering operation valued at over GH₵280 million.

• The Office of the Special Prosecutor charged Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and nine others with corruption-related crimes.
• The allegations involve extortion and money laundering activities valued at over GH₵280 million.
• Investigations revealed illicit financial dealings and abuse of official authority between 2022 and 2024.

According to a statement issued on Thursday, 17 July 2025, the charges stem from investigations launched in late 2024 into the unlawful diversion of public funds and alleged collusion with oil marketing and bulk distribution firms.

A total of seven individuals and three companies face 25 charges, including extortion by a public officer and money laundering.

List of accused individuals and entities

The individuals and corporate bodies charged are as follows:

• Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former Chief Executive Officer of the NPA
• Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at the NPA and Managing Director of Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited
• Wendy Newman – Staff member at the NPA
• 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
• Propnest Limited
• Kel Logistics Limited
• Kings Energy Limited

Details of the Alleged Scheme

The OSP revealed that between 2022 and December 2024, Dr Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman , leveraging their official positions, allegedly orchestrated a criminal enterprise that extorted GH₵280,516,127.19 from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies.

The scheme, according to investigators, was initiated by Dr Abdul-Hamid and operationalised by Amuah and Newman. It was described as having “no legal basis” and constituted a blatant abuse of office.

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The OSP further stated that “from the proceeds of this unlawful scheme, Jacob Amuah delivered GH₵24 million in cash directly to Dr Abdul-Hamid between January and December 2024.” In addition, “GH₵227.2 million was reportedly transferred through Wendy Newman, acting under Amuah’s direction, for further disbursement.”

Use of shell companies and money laundering allegations

The investigation also uncovered that the remaining accused individuals , Ankrah, Mensah, Bediako-Mensah, and Acquaah , allegedly collaborated with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics Limited to establish three shell entities: Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited. These companies were used to launder the illicit proceeds.

The OSP's statement noted: “The laundered funds were used to acquire and construct residential properties, purchase trucks for petroleum haulage, and establish fuel stations , all with the aim of concealing the criminal origins of the funds.”

Charges and court proceedings

All ten accused parties face the following 25 charges:

• 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

One Osei Tutu Adjei, a director of one of the implicated companies, is currently on the run and being pursued by authorities.

The arrested individuals are expected to appear before the court on a date yet to be determined, at which point their pleas will be heard.

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The OSP concluded its statement by reaffirming its firm commitment to tackling corruption, stating: “The Office remains resolute in investigating and prosecuting corruption and corruption-related offences without fear or favour.” It also called on civil society and public institutions to remain alert and report suspicious conduct in order to safeguard the public purse and uphold Ghana’s democratic values.

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