Lawyers for Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), have strongly denied his involvement in an alleged GHC280 million extortion and money laundering scheme.
According to HAY and Partner at Law, their client is ready to contest the allegations in court.
"Our client served the nation with utmost integrity and competence," stated lawyer Hanifa Yahaya, citing widespread industry recognition of Abdul-Hamid's leadership. The defence maintains these financial improvements contradict allegations of misconduct.
The press release is in reaction to an earlier one issued by the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The Special Prosecutor announced that it had filed charges against Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, alongside nine other individuals and three corporate entities, in connection with an alleged sprawling corruption scheme totaling over GH₵280 million.
The charges, including multiple counts of extortion and money laundering, have been filed before the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra.
The accused persons are:
- Mustapha Abdul-Hamid – Former Chief Executive Officer of the NPA
Jacob Kwamina Amuah – Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at NPA and Managing Director of three corporate entities (Propnest, Kel Logistics, and Kings Energy)
Wendy Newman – NPA staff
Albert Ankrah – Director, Kel Logistics Limited
Isaac Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics Limited
Bright Bediako-Mensah – Director, Kel Logistics and Kings Energy Limited
Kwaku Abagye Acquah – Director, Kings Energy Limited
Propnest Limited
Kel Logistics Limited
Kings Energy Limited
In a statement dated Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Special Prosecutor stated that the charges arise from investigations launched in late 2024 into the alleged unlawful diversion of public funds and collusion with oil marketing and bulk distribution companies.
According to the OSP, between 2022 and December 2024, the first three accused persons — acting under the guise of their official duties — allegedly orchestrated a criminal scheme through which they extorted a staggering GH₵280,516,127.19 from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies.
The scheme, reportedly initiated by Dr Abdul-Hamid and implemented by Amuah and Newman, had no legal mandate and constituted a flagrant abuse of their positions within the NPA.
The OSP further alleged that from the extorted funds, Amuah personally handed GH₵24 million in cash to Abdul-Hamid between January and December 2024. Additionally, GH₵227.2 million was reportedly channelled through Newman, under Amuah’s instructions, for further disbursement.
Investigations also revealed that the fourth to seventh accused persons — in collaboration with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics Limited — established and used Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited as shell companies to launder the illicit proceeds.