Former NPA Boss, 9 others charged by OSP for extortion, money laundering
By DL News
Published
1 min read
According to a press release issued on Thursday, July 17, the OSP’s charges follow an in-depth probe that began in late 2024 into alleged financial irregularities within Ghana’s petroleum regulatory framework.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has initiated criminal proceedings against seven individuals and three companies, including Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), over a vast corruption and money laundering case involving more than GH¢280 million.
According to a press release issued on Thursday, July 17, the OSP’s charges follow an in-depth probe that began in late 2024 into alleged financial irregularities within Ghana’s petroleum regulatory framework.
Investigators revealed that from 2022 through December 2024, Dr. Abdul-Hamid, working in concert with Jacob Kwamina Amuah—who served as Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund—and Wendy Newman, a staff member of the NPA, operated a clandestine network that forced petroleum transport operators and oil marketing companies to make unauthorized payments.
“The operation had no legal backing and was a blatant abuse of their roles at the NPA,” the statement indicated. The OSP said the scheme resulted in the unlawful collection of GH¢280,516,127.19, disguised as legitimate regulatory transactions.
The report noted that Amuah personally delivered GH¢24 million to Abdul-Hamid, while a further GH¢227.2 million was funneled through Newman on Amuah’s directives.
The remaining suspects—associated with Kel Logistics, Kings Energy, and Propnest Ltd.—allegedly facilitated the laundering of the funds by investing in properties, building fuel stations, and acquiring oil transportation fleets.
“These entities were deliberately established to mask the true source of the illicit funds,” the OSP disclosed.
In total, the ten accused face 25 criminal charges, including Extortion by a Public Officer, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, and Money Laundering, all under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Notably, one suspect, Osei Tutu Adjei of Kel Logistics, remains at large.
Those arrested are set to appear before the High Court to respond to the charges. The OSP reiterated its commitment to rooting out corruption, emphasizing that it will pursue justice “without fear or favour.”
