The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in Ghana has filed charges against seven individuals and three companies for their alleged involvement in a massive extortion and money laundering scheme worth over GHC280 million.
Among the accused are Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Jacob Kwamina Amuah, a coordinator at the NPA, and Wendy Newman, an NPA staff member. The charges stem from a sprawling corruption investigation initiated in late 2024, uncovering a scheme where public funds were allegedly diverted through collusion with oil marketing and bulk distribution companies.
According to the OSP, the accused orchestrated the scheme between 2022 and December 2024, exploiting their official positions to unlawfully collect funds from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies. The operation, led by Abdul-Hamid and executed by Amuah and Newman, lacked any legal mandate and involved three corporate entities—Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited—linked to the accused. The OSP alleges that the scheme was a deliberate effort to extort money through abuse of power, with the diverted funds laundered through these companies.
The case, now before the High Court in Accra, highlights the ongoing challenges of corruption within Ghana’s petroleum sector. The OSP’s action underscores its commitment to tackling high-profile graft and recovering illicitly acquired public funds. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms to prevent such schemes in the future. The public will be closely watching the outcome, which could have significant implications for Ghana’s fight against corruption.
