In a landmark corruption case shaking Ghana’s petroleum regulatory sector, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has filed criminal charges against Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and nine other individuals for their alleged roles in a sprawling extortion and money laundering scheme valued at GH¢280,516,127.19.
The accused are believed to have exploited their positions between 2022 and 2024 to siphon funds from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies under the guise of regulatory oversight.
The scheme reportedly operated through the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF), a mechanism intended to stabilize fuel prices across the country.
The OSP’s investigation identified the following individuals as central to the operation:
- Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former CEO, NPA
- Jacob Kwamina Amuah – UPPF Coordinator; Managing Director of Propnest, Kel Logistics, and Kings Energy
- Wendy Newman – NPA staff member
- 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
- Osei Tutu Adjei – Director, Kel Logistics Limited (currently at large)
Three companies have also been charged for their alleged role in laundering the proceeds:
- Propnest Limited
- Kel Logistics Limited
- Kings Energy Limited
According to the charges, GH¢24 million was allegedly handed directly to Abdul-Hamid, while GH¢227.2 million was funneled through Newman for further disbursement.
The funds were reportedly laundered through property acquisitions, fuel station developments, and the purchase of haulage trucks, moves designed to conceal the criminal origin of the money.
The accused face 25 counts, including extortion by a public officer, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and direct money laundering offenses.
The case is expected to test the strength of Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions and could set a precedent for future prosecutions.
This scandal has reignited public debate over regulatory transparency and the ethical conduct of public officials.
As the legal proceedings unfold, citizens and civil society groups are calling for systemic reforms to prevent similar abuses and restore trust in public institutions.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
