Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has denied any involvement in a GH¢280 million extortion and money laundering scheme, following charges filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
According to a statement issued by the OSP, seven former officials of the NPA, including Dr. Abdul-Hamid, and three companies have been charged after months of investigations into the diversion of public funds and alleged collusion with oil marketing and bulk distribution companies.
The charges stem from activities said to have taken place between 2022 and 2024.
The accused include Dr. Abdul-Hamid, Wendy Newman, Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah, as well as three corporate bodies—Propnest Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd.
Investigators allege that Dr. Abdul-Hamid, Amuah, and Newman coordinated a criminal enterprise that extorted millions of cedis from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies under the guise of legitimate NPA operations.
It is further claimed that Amuah transferred GH¢24 million directly to Dr. Abdul-Hamid, while Newman is said to have handled an additional GH¢227.2 million on his behalf.
The other accused individuals are believed to have collaborated with a fugitive director of Kel Logistics Ltd. to launder the proceeds through the three companies named in the charge sheet.
All ten accused face 25 counts, including extortion by a public officer, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering under Ghana’s criminal and anti-money laundering laws.
However, Dr. Abdul-Hamid, through his legal counsel, has rejected the allegations.
In a statement dated July 17, his lawyers insisted that their client has not been officially served with any charge sheet and has not appeared before any court.
“We wish to state that as at the time of issuing this press statement, our client has not been charged before any court of competent jurisdiction. We are yet to sight any charge sheet.”
They described the accusations as inconsistent, citing earlier claims of embezzlement and procurement breaches that have since evolved into the current charges.
The statement added that Dr. Abdul-Hamid remains ready to assist with investigations and is confident that the truth will clear his name.
“We wish to make the following statements based on the press release: That, 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.”
Below is the statement:
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
