The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has withdrawn charges against one of the individuals standing trial alongside former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Mustapha Abdul-Hamid in a major case involving the alleged extortion of more than GH¢291 million and $323,407.47 from oil marketing companies.

The individual, Albert Ankrah, a director of Kel Logistics Limited, had been accused of using his company to help conceal the alleged proceeds of the crime.

However, prosecutors have now dropped the charges against him and plan to call him as a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial.

Despite the development, Kel Logistics Limited will remain a defendant in the case, as the prosecution maintains that the company holds full legal capacity and liabilities.

The court, presided over by Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, has adjourned proceedings to March 24, 2026, to allow the OSP to file the necessary legal processes to formally reflect the withdrawal of charges against Ankrah.

Alleged Extortion Scheme


The OSP has accused Dr Abdul-Hamid and two officials of the NPA — Jacob Kwamina Amuah, a coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF), and Wendy Newman, a staff member of the authority — of conspiring to extort GH¢291,574,087.19 and $323,407.47 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between 2022 and December 2024.

According to prosecutors, the scheme targeted companies operating in Ghana’s petroleum downstream sector and allegedly involved the unlawful collection of funds under various pretexts.

Three other company executives have also been charged for allegedly assisting in concealing the proceeds of the scheme. They include:


  • 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

All the accused persons are currently on bail.

Prosecution’s Claims


According to the prosecution, the alleged extortion scheme was conceived by Dr Abdul-Hamid, who reportedly presented the plan to Amuah, with Newman later recruited to serve as the primary conduit for receiving the proceeds.

Investigators claim that between January and December 2024, Amuah directly handed GH¢24 million to Dr Abdul-Hamid as part of the alleged proceeds.

Within the same period, prosecutors also allege that Dr Abdul-Hamid received GH¢230,000 directly from a haulage company.

The OSP further claims that out of the total amount allegedly obtained through the scheme, GH¢227.23 million and $17,2017.47 were channelled through Newman, who allegedly distributed the funds based on instructions from Amuah.

Alleged Money Laundering Network


Investigators say Ankrah, Mensa, Bediako-Mensah and Acquaah, together with another associate identified as Adjei, allegedly collaborated with Amuah and Newman to establish and operate three companies used to launder the suspected proceeds.

According to the prosecution, the funds were moved through multiple financial transactions and used to acquire both movable and immovable assets.

“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 charge sheet stated.

The OSP further alleges that Amuah and Newman transferred large sums directly to the companies and financed the purchase and construction of houses, trucks for oil distribution, and the development of fuel filling stations.