By Joyce Danso
Accra, July 23, GNA – Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and nine others have appeared before an Accra High Court on multiple criminal charges.
They are facing various charges including conspiracy to commit crime, money laundering, extortion, and using public office for profit.
The accused, comprising seven individuals and three entities, allegedly used their positions to illicitly earn GHS280 million for personal gain.
Seven have pleaded not guilty.
They include Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Wendy Newman, Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, Kweku Aboagye Acquah, and corporate entities—Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics, and Kings Energy Limited.
Presiding Judge, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, granted each accused person bail of GHS2 million with sureties who must be public servants earning no less than GHS5,000 per month.
They are also required to submit landed property and report to the Police fortnightly.
The court further directed Dr Abdul-Hamid, Mr Amuah, and Ms Newman to deposit their passports with the Court Registry. The case was adjourned to August 26, 2025.
Earlier, defence counsel for Dr Abdul-Hamid, Mr Paul Asibi Abariga, appealed for softer bail terms to enable immediate compliance, citing his clients were already on Inquiry bail.
Lead prosecutor, Special Prosecutor Mr Kissi Adjabeng, stated that Dr Abdul-Hamid was appointed Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) on July 1, 2021.
Mr Adjabeng said Mr Amuah, appointed to the NPA in 2008, is Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund and also serves as Managing Director for Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited and Kings Energy Limited.
He said Ms Newman is employed by the NPA, while Mr Ankrah and Mr Mensah are Directors of Kel Logistics.
Mr Bediako-Mensah is linked to both Kel Logistics and Kings Energy, while Mr Acquah is a Director at Kings Energy.
All three companies are registered in Ghana.
Prosecution said the Office of the Special Prosecutor initiated full investigations in late 2024 into suspected corruption at the NPA, specifically involving top officials and alleged illicit transactions with oil marketing firms and bulk transporters.
Between 2022 and December 2024, the First, Second, and Third Accused allegedly implemented a scheme under their official capacities to extort GHS280,516,127.19.
“The scheme was contrived by the First Accused person, who sold the idea of the criminal adventure to the Second Accused person, who also recruited the Third Accused person as the primary conduit for receiving the proceeds of the crime,” the prosecution claimed,
The prosecution revealed Mr. Amuah handed GHS24 million directly to Dr Abdul-Hamid from January to December 2024.
An additional GHS227.2 million was disbursed by Ms Newman on the instruction of Mr Amuah.
Further investigation disclosed that Mr Ankrah, Mr Mensah, Mr Bediako-Mensah and Mr Acquah, together with a fifth accomplice, Mr Osei Tutu Adjei (currently at large), with the help of Mr Amuah and Ms Newman, operated the three companies to launder proceeds of the extortion scheme.
The funds were allegedly used to purchase and construct housing, acquire trucks for oil distribution, and build fuel stations.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey