The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has revised the charge sheet in the ongoing corruption case against former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and nine others.
The charges have risen from 25 to 54 after investigators uncovered additional evidence.
According to the OSP, the accused allegedly coerced bulk oil transporters and oil marketing firms into paying huge sums under the pretext of official duties, before laundering the proceeds through property purchases and business ventures to disguise their illicit origins.
Those charged include, Jacob Kwamina An-wan, Wendy Newman, Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, and Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah.
The corporate entities named in the case are Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited.
The OSP has confirmed the seizure and freezing of assets belonging to the accused persons, including tanker trucks, filling stations, residential properties, and parcels of land valued at over GH¢100 million.
Investigators allege that the group operated a coordinated network targeting Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs), channeling the proceeds into luxury real estate, vehicles, and petroleum businesses.
On 23rd July, Dr Abdul-Hamid was granted bail set at GH¢2 million in connection with the ongoing case. He is required to provide two sureties, each earning not less than GH¢5,000 monthly, and to justify the amount.
He must also report to the OSP fortnightly as investigations and proceedings continue.
The OSP alleges that between 2022 and 2024, Dr Abdul-Hamid and his associates orchestrated a wide-reaching corruption scheme within the petroleum sector, siphoning vast sums of money through fraudulent transactions and concealment mechanisms.
