An Accra High Court has adjourned proceedings in the high-profile trial of former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) CEO Mustapha Abdul-Hamid to March 24, 2026, following a significant development by the prosecution.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has withdrawn charges against Albert Ankrah, a director of Kel Logistics Limited, who was initially standing trial alongside Dr. Abdul-Hamid for allegedly helping to conceal the proceeds of crime.
An Accra High Court has adjourned proceedings in the high-profile trial of former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) CEO Mustapha Abdul-Hamid to March 24, 2026, following a significant development by the prosecution.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has withdrawn charges against Albert Ankrah, a director of Kel Logistics Limited, who was initially standing trial alongside Dr. Abdul-Hamid for allegedly helping to conceal the proceeds of crime.
Key Accused Turns State Witness
In a dramatic turn of events, the OSP has indicated its intention to call Mr. Ankrah as a key prosecution witness in the ongoing case. While charges against him as an individual have been dropped, the company, Kel Logistics Limited, will remain a defendant in the matter, as prosecutors maintain it has full legal capacity and liabilities.
The court has granted the OSP time to file the necessary legal processes to formalize this change. The case is being heard by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, and all accused persons remain on bail.
The Alleged GH¢291 Million Extortion Scheme
The OSP has charged Dr. Abdul-Hamid and two other officials of the NPA—Jacob Kwamina Amuah, a Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF), and Wendy Newman, a staff member—with conspiracy and extortion.
Prosecutors allege the trio devised a scheme between 2022 and December 2024 to extort a total of GH¢291,574,087.19 and $323,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies operating in the downstream petroleum sector. The funds were allegedly collected under various pretexts.
According to the charge sheet, Dr. Abdul-Hamid conceived the plan and presented it to Mr. Amuah, who subsequently recruited Ms. Newman to act as the primary conduit for receiving the illicit funds.
The prosecution further claims that Mr. Amuah personally handed over GH¢24 million to Dr. Abdul-Hamid between January and December 2024. During the same period, Dr. Abdul-Hamid is also alleged to have directly received GH¢230,000 from one haulage company.
Money Laundering Allegations
Of the total amount allegedly extorted, the OSP claims a staggering GH¢227.23 million and $172,017.47 were channeled through Ms. Newman. She is then alleged to have distributed the funds on the instructions of Mr. Amuah.
The prosecution case details an elaborate money laundering operation, alleging that the accused worked with associates to establish and use three companies to clean the illicit funds.
In addition to Mr. Ankrah, three other executives face charges related to concealing the proceeds:
· Isaac Mensa, a director of Kel Logistics Limited
· Bright Bediako-Mensah, a director of Kel Logistics and Kings Energy Limited
· Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah, a director of Kings Energy Limited
Prosecutors allege that these individuals, along with Mr. Amuah, Ms. Newman, and another associate identified as Adjei, used the companies to launder the money through various financial transfers. The funds were allegedly used to acquire movable and immovable property, including houses, trucks for the oil distribution business, and the construction of fuel filling stations.
“That was to conceal or disguise the illicit origin of the proceeds of the criminal enterprise and to evade the legal consequences of the unlawful activity,” the charges stated.
The court is expected to hear from Mr. Ankrah in his new capacity as a prosecution witness when the trial resumes on March 24.
