Ghana’s Former Oil Regulator Chief Charged in $28 Million Corruption Scandal

Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor has filed sweeping charges against Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), over an alleged $28 million corruption and money laundering scheme.

The charges, announced Thursday, mark a significant step in President John Mahama’s aggressive anti-graft drive launched earlier this year to recover misappropriated state funds and restore institutional accountability.

According to the Special Prosecutor, Abdul-Hamid and six other individuals—including senior NPA staff and oil sector players—face 25 counts ranging from extortion by a public officer to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Three companies linked to the case—Propnest Ltd., Kel Logistics Ltd., and Kings Energy Ltd.—have also been indicted.

Investigators allege that between 2022 and December 2024, the accused orchestrated a “sprawling corruption network” that unlawfully siphoned funds from oil marketing firms and transport operators.

The proceeds were allegedly laundered through shell entities and used to purchase real estate, commercial trucks, and construct fuel stations.

Abdul-Hamid, who is accused of personally pocketing $2.3 million, has denied all allegations.
“I have never accepted a bribe or participated in any unlawful scheme while serving at the NPA,” he told AFP by phone. “I’m fully prepared to cooperate with the authorities and clear my name in court.”

Two other key suspects—Jacob Kwamina Amuah, a former coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund, and Wendy Newman, an NPA staffer—are said to be principal architects of the operation. One of the directors of Kel Logistics Ltd. remains at large.

This high-profile prosecution comes amid growing public scrutiny of Mahama’s commitment to anti-corruption reform. The president, who returned to power in January 2025, has vowed to hold officials accountable regardless of political affiliation.

“Mahama’s political credibility hinges on whether these prosecutions are truly impartial or merely targeted,” said political analyst Joshua Jebuntie Zaato of the University of Ghana. “Ghanaians are watching closely.”

So far, multiple arrests and investigations have followed the president’s anti-corruption campaign, with dozens of officials currently under review.