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).
Prominently among the accused is Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former Chief Executive Officer of the NPA. Others include Jacob Kwamina Amuah, who served as Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) and managing director of several implicated companies, Wendy Newman, a staff member of the NPA, and four directors of private companies linked to the laundering of illicit funds.
The three companies named are Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited. According to the OSP, the case stems from extensive investigations launched in late 2024 into collusion between high-ranking NPA officials and private oil marketing and distribution firms.
The alleged scheme, which took place between 2022 and December 2024, reportedly involved illegal payments extorted from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies. The OSP’s statement indicates that Abdul-Hamid initiated the extortion scheme, which was operationalized by Amuah and Newman using their official positions.
Amuah is said to have handed over GHC24 million in cash to Abdul-Hamid throughout 2024. An additional GHC227.2 million is believed to have been funneled through Newman under Amuah’s direction. The remaining accused are suspected of laundering the proceeds through the three companies involved, concealing the funds by investing in real estate, trucks, and fuel stations.
In total, 25 charges have been filed against the accused, including Extortion by a Public Officer, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, and Money Laundering under Ghana’s Criminal Offences and Anti-Money Laundering Acts.
A key figure in the case, Osei Tutu Adjei, identified as a director of Kel Logistics Limited, is currently on the run and is being pursued by law enforcement authorities.
All arrested individuals are expected to be arraigned before the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra, where they will respond to the charges. A court date is yet to be announced.
