4 days ago
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.
