Latest news with #Abdul-Hamid
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
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: 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. 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.
7NEWS
24-06-2025
- 7NEWS
Disturbing details emerge in alleged gang rape of Sydney teenager as accused have their bail denied
Two men accused of gang raping a teenage girl for hours in a vehicle remained expressionless while denied bail for being deemed a danger to the community. Adam Abdul-Hamid, 19, and an 18-year-old male who cannot be legally named are among four youths accused of the six-hour-long sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at multiple Sydney locations in December 2024. Both appeared by audio-visual link at separate court hearings on Tuesday when their bail was denied. At Campbelltown Local Court, Magistrate Peter Thompson found the risk that Abdul-Hamid posed to the community if he was released from Silverwater prison could not be mitigated. Magistrate Rosheehan O'Meagher at Parramatta Children's Court made similar findings against the 18-year-old. Bail was rejected despite a raft of strict conditions proposed for each co-accused by their barrister Troy Edwards SC. Crown prosecutor Abby Lee van der Velde argued Abdul-Hamid should not be released because he was the only adult present during the alleged 'prolonged and sustained sexual assault'. The barber shop employee had not tried to intervene and had allegedly taken the victim's phone to send himself a text message, Thompson heard. Material provided by his family to the court describing the 19-year-old as a responsible and affectionate person lay in contrast to the seriousness of the charges, van der Velde said. Neighbours previously described Abdul-Hamid, who was employed as a barber in Liverpool, as a 'pretty quiet' man. He reportedly worked at Westfield Liverpool, the same shopping centre where his co-accused allegedly first encountered their alleged victim. Edwards unsuccessfully tried to argue the bail conditions were enough to mitigate any risk his client posed. He described the case against his client as 'weak', saying there was no evidence he agreed to participate in the alleged crime. 'Do you want to have a turn?' Abdul-Hamid was allegedly asked, according to a police facts sheet seen by the court. 'No, I'm alright,' he allegedly replied. In a later covertly recorded phone conversation, Abdul-Hamid accused the other males involved in the alleged assault, the court was told. Despite seven months elapsing since the alleged assault, the 19-year-old had not tried to contact the complainant or his co-accused, Edwards said. Abdul-Hamid has been hit with five charges of aggravated sexual assault in company but has yet to enter any pleas. Two of these alleged offences involve the use of a hair brush. Outside court, the 19-year-old's mother and two brothers wore face masks and shielded themselves with umbrellas, swearing at reporters before getting into a waiting car and driving off. The 18-year-old male — who has been hit with nine charges of aggravated sexual assault in company — allegedly joined the sexual assault after being told about it through Facetime, O'Meagher was told. As his mother and partner watched in court, van der Velde said the youth had been captured on CCTV, placing him at the scene. Police allege that the girl was initially approached by a 16-year-old boy, unknown to her, at a shopping centre in Liverpool on a Sunday evening. The boy allegedly asked to be driven to a park at a nearby suburb, which the victim agreed to, on the understanding he would get out of the car. At the park, two other males got into the car and allegedly also sexually assaulted her. A fourth male arrived in another car and the assaults continued as the girl was driven around for six hours, investigators allege. The 16-year-old alleged instigator of the rape has been charged with 19 sexual assault offences and five sexual touching offences. A 14-year-old has been charged with 10 offences including seven aggravated sexual assault offences. Abdul-Hamid's matter will return to court on August 13. His three co-accused will have their cases briefly heard on August 11. Anyone with any further information about the incident has been encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers. In an emergency, call 000.
The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- The Advertiser
'Unacceptable risk': no bail for teen gang rape accused
Two men accused of gang raping a teenage girl for hours in a vehicle remained expressionless while denied bail for being deemed a danger to the community. Adam Abdul-Hamid, 19, and an 18-year-old male who cannot be legally named are among four youths accused of the six-hour-long sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at multiple Sydney locations in December 2024. Both appeared by audio-visual link at separate court hearings on Tuesday when their bail was denied. At Campbelltown Local Court, Magistrate Peter Thompson found the risk that Abdul-Hamid posed to the community if he was released from Silverwater prison could not be mitigated. Magistrate Rosheehan O'Meagher at Parramatta Children's Court made similar findings against the 18-year-old. Bail was rejected despite a raft of strict conditions proposed for each co-accused by their barrister Troy Edwards SC. Crown prosecutor Abby Lee van der Velde argued Abdul-Hamid should not be released because he was the only adult present during the alleged "prolonged and sustained sexual assault". The barber shop employee had not tried to intervene and had allegedly taken the victim's phone to send himself a text message, Mr Thompson heard. Material provided by his family to the court describing the 19-year-old as a responsible and affectionate person lay in contrast to the seriousness of the charges, Ms van der Velde said. Mr Edwards unsuccessfully tried to argue the bail conditions were enough to mitigate any risk his client posed. He described the case against his client as "weak", saying there was no evidence he agreed to participate in the alleged crime. "Do you want to have a turn?" Abdul-Hamid was allegedly asked, according to a police facts sheet seen by the court. "No, I'm alright," he allegedly replied. In a later covertly recorded phone conversation, Abdul-Hamid inculpated the other males involved in the alleged assault, the court was told. Despite seven months elapsing since the alleged assault, the 19-year-old had not tried to contact the complainant or his co-accused, Mr Edwards said. Abdul-Hamid has been hit with five charges of aggravated sexual assault in company but has yet to enter any pleas. Two of these alleged offences involve the use of a hair brush. Outside court, the 19-year-old's mother and two brothers wore face masks and shielded themselves with umbrellas, swearing at reporters before getting into a waiting car and driving off. The 18-year-old male - who has been hit with nine charges of aggravated sexual assault in company - allegedly joined the sexual assault after being told about it through Facetime, Ms O'Meagher was told. As his mother and partner watched in court, Ms van der Velde said the youth had been captured on CCTV, placing him at the scene. Police allege that the girl was initially approached by a 16-year-old boy, unknown to her, at a shopping centre in Liverpool on a Sunday evening. The boy allegedly asked to be driven to a park at a nearby suburb, which the victim agreed to, on the understanding he would get out of the car. At the park, two other males got into the car and allegedly also sexually assaulted her. A fourth male arrived in another car and the assaults continued as the girl was driven around for six hours, investigators allege. The 16-year-old alleged instigator of the rape has been charged with 19 sexual assault offences and five sexual touching offences. A 14-year-old has been charged with 10 offences including seven aggravated sexual assault offences. Abdul-Hamid's matter will return to court on August 13. His three co-accused will have their cases briefly heard on August 11. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Two men accused of gang raping a teenage girl for hours in a vehicle remained expressionless while denied bail for being deemed a danger to the community. Adam Abdul-Hamid, 19, and an 18-year-old male who cannot be legally named are among four youths accused of the six-hour-long sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at multiple Sydney locations in December 2024. Both appeared by audio-visual link at separate court hearings on Tuesday when their bail was denied. At Campbelltown Local Court, Magistrate Peter Thompson found the risk that Abdul-Hamid posed to the community if he was released from Silverwater prison could not be mitigated. Magistrate Rosheehan O'Meagher at Parramatta Children's Court made similar findings against the 18-year-old. Bail was rejected despite a raft of strict conditions proposed for each co-accused by their barrister Troy Edwards SC. Crown prosecutor Abby Lee van der Velde argued Abdul-Hamid should not be released because he was the only adult present during the alleged "prolonged and sustained sexual assault". The barber shop employee had not tried to intervene and had allegedly taken the victim's phone to send himself a text message, Mr Thompson heard. Material provided by his family to the court describing the 19-year-old as a responsible and affectionate person lay in contrast to the seriousness of the charges, Ms van der Velde said. Mr Edwards unsuccessfully tried to argue the bail conditions were enough to mitigate any risk his client posed. He described the case against his client as "weak", saying there was no evidence he agreed to participate in the alleged crime. "Do you want to have a turn?" Abdul-Hamid was allegedly asked, according to a police facts sheet seen by the court. "No, I'm alright," he allegedly replied. In a later covertly recorded phone conversation, Abdul-Hamid inculpated the other males involved in the alleged assault, the court was told. Despite seven months elapsing since the alleged assault, the 19-year-old had not tried to contact the complainant or his co-accused, Mr Edwards said. Abdul-Hamid has been hit with five charges of aggravated sexual assault in company but has yet to enter any pleas. Two of these alleged offences involve the use of a hair brush. Outside court, the 19-year-old's mother and two brothers wore face masks and shielded themselves with umbrellas, swearing at reporters before getting into a waiting car and driving off. The 18-year-old male - who has been hit with nine charges of aggravated sexual assault in company - allegedly joined the sexual assault after being told about it through Facetime, Ms O'Meagher was told. As his mother and partner watched in court, Ms van der Velde said the youth had been captured on CCTV, placing him at the scene. Police allege that the girl was initially approached by a 16-year-old boy, unknown to her, at a shopping centre in Liverpool on a Sunday evening. The boy allegedly asked to be driven to a park at a nearby suburb, which the victim agreed to, on the understanding he would get out of the car. At the park, two other males got into the car and allegedly also sexually assaulted her. A fourth male arrived in another car and the assaults continued as the girl was driven around for six hours, investigators allege. The 16-year-old alleged instigator of the rape has been charged with 19 sexual assault offences and five sexual touching offences. A 14-year-old has been charged with 10 offences including seven aggravated sexual assault offences. Abdul-Hamid's matter will return to court on August 13. His three co-accused will have their cases briefly heard on August 11. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Two men accused of gang raping a teenage girl for hours in a vehicle remained expressionless while denied bail for being deemed a danger to the community. Adam Abdul-Hamid, 19, and an 18-year-old male who cannot be legally named are among four youths accused of the six-hour-long sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at multiple Sydney locations in December 2024. Both appeared by audio-visual link at separate court hearings on Tuesday when their bail was denied. At Campbelltown Local Court, Magistrate Peter Thompson found the risk that Abdul-Hamid posed to the community if he was released from Silverwater prison could not be mitigated. Magistrate Rosheehan O'Meagher at Parramatta Children's Court made similar findings against the 18-year-old. Bail was rejected despite a raft of strict conditions proposed for each co-accused by their barrister Troy Edwards SC. Crown prosecutor Abby Lee van der Velde argued Abdul-Hamid should not be released because he was the only adult present during the alleged "prolonged and sustained sexual assault". The barber shop employee had not tried to intervene and had allegedly taken the victim's phone to send himself a text message, Mr Thompson heard. Material provided by his family to the court describing the 19-year-old as a responsible and affectionate person lay in contrast to the seriousness of the charges, Ms van der Velde said. Mr Edwards unsuccessfully tried to argue the bail conditions were enough to mitigate any risk his client posed. He described the case against his client as "weak", saying there was no evidence he agreed to participate in the alleged crime. "Do you want to have a turn?" Abdul-Hamid was allegedly asked, according to a police facts sheet seen by the court. "No, I'm alright," he allegedly replied. In a later covertly recorded phone conversation, Abdul-Hamid inculpated the other males involved in the alleged assault, the court was told. Despite seven months elapsing since the alleged assault, the 19-year-old had not tried to contact the complainant or his co-accused, Mr Edwards said. Abdul-Hamid has been hit with five charges of aggravated sexual assault in company but has yet to enter any pleas. Two of these alleged offences involve the use of a hair brush. Outside court, the 19-year-old's mother and two brothers wore face masks and shielded themselves with umbrellas, swearing at reporters before getting into a waiting car and driving off. The 18-year-old male - who has been hit with nine charges of aggravated sexual assault in company - allegedly joined the sexual assault after being told about it through Facetime, Ms O'Meagher was told. As his mother and partner watched in court, Ms van der Velde said the youth had been captured on CCTV, placing him at the scene. Police allege that the girl was initially approached by a 16-year-old boy, unknown to her, at a shopping centre in Liverpool on a Sunday evening. The boy allegedly asked to be driven to a park at a nearby suburb, which the victim agreed to, on the understanding he would get out of the car. At the park, two other males got into the car and allegedly also sexually assaulted her. A fourth male arrived in another car and the assaults continued as the girl was driven around for six hours, investigators allege. The 16-year-old alleged instigator of the rape has been charged with 19 sexual assault offences and five sexual touching offences. A 14-year-old has been charged with 10 offences including seven aggravated sexual assault offences. Abdul-Hamid's matter will return to court on August 13. His three co-accused will have their cases briefly heard on August 11. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 Two men accused of gang raping a teenage girl for hours in a vehicle remained expressionless while denied bail for being deemed a danger to the community. Adam Abdul-Hamid, 19, and an 18-year-old male who cannot be legally named are among four youths accused of the six-hour-long sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at multiple Sydney locations in December 2024. Both appeared by audio-visual link at separate court hearings on Tuesday when their bail was denied. At Campbelltown Local Court, Magistrate Peter Thompson found the risk that Abdul-Hamid posed to the community if he was released from Silverwater prison could not be mitigated. Magistrate Rosheehan O'Meagher at Parramatta Children's Court made similar findings against the 18-year-old. Bail was rejected despite a raft of strict conditions proposed for each co-accused by their barrister Troy Edwards SC. Crown prosecutor Abby Lee van der Velde argued Abdul-Hamid should not be released because he was the only adult present during the alleged "prolonged and sustained sexual assault". The barber shop employee had not tried to intervene and had allegedly taken the victim's phone to send himself a text message, Mr Thompson heard. Material provided by his family to the court describing the 19-year-old as a responsible and affectionate person lay in contrast to the seriousness of the charges, Ms van der Velde said. Mr Edwards unsuccessfully tried to argue the bail conditions were enough to mitigate any risk his client posed. He described the case against his client as "weak", saying there was no evidence he agreed to participate in the alleged crime. "Do you want to have a turn?" Abdul-Hamid was allegedly asked, according to a police facts sheet seen by the court. "No, I'm alright," he allegedly replied. In a later covertly recorded phone conversation, Abdul-Hamid inculpated the other males involved in the alleged assault, the court was told. Despite seven months elapsing since the alleged assault, the 19-year-old had not tried to contact the complainant or his co-accused, Mr Edwards said. Abdul-Hamid has been hit with five charges of aggravated sexual assault in company but has yet to enter any pleas. Two of these alleged offences involve the use of a hair brush. Outside court, the 19-year-old's mother and two brothers wore face masks and shielded themselves with umbrellas, swearing at reporters before getting into a waiting car and driving off. The 18-year-old male - who has been hit with nine charges of aggravated sexual assault in company - allegedly joined the sexual assault after being told about it through Facetime, Ms O'Meagher was told. As his mother and partner watched in court, Ms van der Velde said the youth had been captured on CCTV, placing him at the scene. Police allege that the girl was initially approached by a 16-year-old boy, unknown to her, at a shopping centre in Liverpool on a Sunday evening. The boy allegedly asked to be driven to a park at a nearby suburb, which the victim agreed to, on the understanding he would get out of the car. At the park, two other males got into the car and allegedly also sexually assaulted her. A fourth male arrived in another car and the assaults continued as the girl was driven around for six hours, investigators allege. The 16-year-old alleged instigator of the rape has been charged with 19 sexual assault offences and five sexual touching offences. A 14-year-old has been charged with 10 offences including seven aggravated sexual assault offences. Abdul-Hamid's matter will return to court on August 13. His three co-accused will have their cases briefly heard on August 11. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Perth Now
'Unacceptable risk': no bail for teen gang rape accused
Two men accused of gang raping a teenage girl for hours in a vehicle remained expressionless while denied bail for being deemed a danger to the community. Adam Abdul-Hamid, 19, and an 18-year-old male who cannot be legally named are among four youths accused of the six-hour-long sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at multiple Sydney locations in December 2024. Both appeared by audio-visual link at separate court hearings on Tuesday when their bail was denied. At Campbelltown Local Court, Magistrate Peter Thompson found the risk that Abdul-Hamid posed to the community if he was released from Silverwater prison could not be mitigated. Magistrate Rosheehan O'Meagher at Parramatta Children's Court made similar findings against the 18-year-old. Bail was rejected despite a raft of strict conditions proposed for each co-accused by their barrister Troy Edwards SC. Crown prosecutor Abby Lee van der Velde argued Abdul-Hamid should not be released because he was the only adult present during the alleged "prolonged and sustained sexual assault". The barber shop employee had not tried to intervene and had allegedly taken the victim's phone to send himself a text message, Mr Thompson heard. Material provided by his family to the court describing the 19-year-old as a responsible and affectionate person lay in contrast to the seriousness of the charges, Ms van der Velde said. Mr Edwards unsuccessfully tried to argue the bail conditions were enough to mitigate any risk his client posed. He described the case against his client as "weak", saying there was no evidence he agreed to participate in the alleged crime. "Do you want to have a turn?" Abdul-Hamid was allegedly asked, according to a police facts sheet seen by the court. "No, I'm alright," he allegedly replied. In a later covertly recorded phone conversation, Abdul-Hamid inculpated the other males involved in the alleged assault, the court was told. Despite seven months elapsing since the alleged assault, the 19-year-old had not tried to contact the complainant or his co-accused, Mr Edwards said. Abdul-Hamid has been hit with five charges of aggravated sexual assault in company but has yet to enter any pleas. Two of these alleged offences involve the use of a hair brush. Outside court, the 19-year-old's mother and two brothers wore face masks and shielded themselves with umbrellas, swearing at reporters before getting into a waiting car and driving off. The 18-year-old male - who has been hit with nine charges of aggravated sexual assault in company - allegedly joined the sexual assault after being told about it through Facetime, Ms O'Meagher was told. As his mother and partner watched in court, Ms van der Velde said the youth had been captured on CCTV, placing him at the scene. Police allege that the girl was initially approached by a 16-year-old boy, unknown to her, at a shopping centre in Liverpool on a Sunday evening. The boy allegedly asked to be driven to a park at a nearby suburb, which the victim agreed to, on the understanding he would get out of the car. At the park, two other males got into the car and allegedly also sexually assaulted her. A fourth male arrived in another car and the assaults continued as the girl was driven around for six hours, investigators allege. The 16-year-old alleged instigator of the rape has been charged with 19 sexual assault offences and five sexual touching offences. A 14-year-old has been charged with 10 offences including seven aggravated sexual assault offences. Abdul-Hamid's matter will return to court on August 13. His three co-accused will have their cases briefly heard on August 11. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
