Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority
Lawyers representing Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority, have declared that their client is not guilty of any of the charges made against him by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The client is prepared to challenge the accusations in court, according to HAY and Partner at Law.
“…our client denies all the allegations against him contained in the said publication and press release. That, our client is ready to contest all the allegations in the court of law and defend his good name,” they wrote in a press release dated July 17.
The news release is a response to one that the OSP previously released.
The OSP declared that it had charged Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, nine other people, and three corporate organizations in relation to a purportedly extensive corruption conspiracy worth more than GH₵280 million.
The High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra has received the charges, which include several counts of extortion and money laundering.
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
According to the OSP, between 2022 and December 2024, the first three accused persons, Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman, allegedly used their positions at the NPA to unlawfully extort GH¢280,516,127.19 from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies.
The extortion scheme, which had no lawful mandate, was reportedly initiated by Abdul-Hamid and implemented by Amuah and Newman.
“Investigations further revealed that the fourth to seventh accused persons, in collaboration with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics Limited, created and Utilised Properties Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd. as vehicles for laundering the illicit proceeds.
“The laundered funds were used to purchase and construct houses, acquire trucks for an oil distribution business, and build fuel stations, all as part of efforts to conceal and disguise the origin of the criminal proceeds.
“All 7 individuals and three companies have been charged with a total of 25 counts, including:
“Extortion by a Public Officer, contrary to Section 151 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
“Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, contrary to Section 23 of Act 29 and Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044) Money Laundering, contrary to Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of Act 1044,” part of the statement said.
The statement added, “One Osei Tutu Adjei, a director of the ninth accused company is currently at large. The accused persons have been apprehended and are set to appear on a date to be determined by the court for their pleas to be taken,
“The OSP reaffirms its commitment to investigating and prosecuting corruption and corruption-related offences without fear or favour, and urges all public institutions to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of corruption.”
KA
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