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Crime and Investigation

Former NPA Boss, 9 Others Charged With Allegedly Extorting Over GH¢291 Million From Petroleum Companies

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The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has been dragged before the Criminal High Court in Accra along with nine other individuals and companies. They are accused of conspiring to extort more than GH¢291 million from players within Ghana’s petroleum sector.

According to a charge sheet filed by state prosecutors at the Criminal High Court (Accra), the group — which includes senior NPA officials and three private companies — allegedly worked together to unlawfully demand huge sums of money from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between December 2022 and December 2024.

Who is Involved

The accused individuals are:

  • Mustapha Abdul-Hamid (54) – Former NPA CEO

  • Jacob Kwamina Amuah (57) – Former Coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF)

  • Wendy Newman (40) – NPA Audit Department staff

  • Albert Ankrah

  • Isaac Mensah

  • Bright Bediako-Mensah

  • Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah

The companies cited in the case are:

  • PropNest Limited

  • KEL Logistics Limited

  • Kings Energy Limited

Details of the Allegations

Prosecutors claim that the accused persons “agreed to act together with a common purpose” to demand and receive money from petroleum companies, even though they had no lawful authority to do so.

The total amount allegedly extorted includes:

  • GH¢291,574,087.19

  • US$332,407.47

Dr. Abdul-Hamid, who previously served as a minister and is known within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), faces additional personal charges.

Charges Against Dr. Abdul-Hamid

  • Count Two: He is alleged to have personally received GH¢24 million for his own benefit between January and December 2024. The money was reportedly collected through the then-UPPF Coordinator, Jacob Kwamina Amuah.

  • Count Three: Prosecutors allege that between July 2022 and March 2023, during his tenure as both NPA CEO and Chairperson of the UPPF Management Committee, he again engaged in acts of extortion.

The case is expected to be heard in the coming days as the court takes up the charges.

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Crime and Investigation

Police Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Two Victims in Nsawam Operation

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Police Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Two Victims in Nsawam Operation

The Nsawam District Police Command has arrested five individuals in connection with the kidnapping of two men travelling from Accra to Anyinam, following a coordinated intelligence-led operation. The victims were rescued safely and are in stable condition.

Police reports indicate that on January 10, 2026, the Command received credible intelligence that the two men had been abducted and moved to an undisclosed location. The suspects allegedly demanded a ransom of GH¢400,000 from the victims’ family and later instructed them to make an initial payment of GH¢5,000.

Acting on the information, officers from the Nsawam District Police, with support from the Suhum Police Command, mounted an operation that led to the arrest of the suspects at a drinking spot near the Suhum Roundabout.

The suspects have been identified as Suleman Salifu, 24; Godfred Owusu, 26; Antwi Bismark, 27; Anas Salis, 38; and Gyamfi Isaac, 33. The victims, Seidu Sambiane, 28, and Ibrahim Alhassan, 42, were rescued during the operation without harm.

A search of an unregistered Acura 4×4 vehicle allegedly used by the suspects resulted in the recovery of several items, including forged GH¢100 and GH¢200 notes, specimen papers cut to the size of currency notes, and an amount of GH¢4,600 in cash. Police also retrieved a pistol, a cutlass, talismans and amulets, as well as five mobile phones.

The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations as police prepare to take further legal action.

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Crime and Investigation

Police Arrest 120 Suspects in Major Crackdown on Drug Dealers and Criminal Gangs in East Legon

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A major police operation aimed at curbing illicit drug activities and criminal gangs in the East Legon area has resulted in the arrest of 120 suspects, including six women.

After the arrests, all suspects were taken to the East Legon Police Station, where screening is ongoing to identify individuals linked to specific criminal activities and those suspected of dealing in illegal drugs.

According to a police report, the operation was led by ACP Saviour Ahiamadi and supported by several senior officers from Police Headquarters. These included DSP Malaika-Jibril Alhassan, DSP Richard Beriko, ASP Afram, ASP Sarpong, and ASP Imoro from the Accra Region.

The exercise was a joint effort involving officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate, the Criminal Investigations Department, the National Operations Directorate, as well as the Accra and East Legon Regional Commands. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the police to enhance security and maintain law and order in the area.

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Crime and Investigation

Three Suspected Robbers Killed in Christmas Eve Gun Battle with Police in Ashanti Region

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Three suspected armed robbers were shot dead during a gun battle with police on Christmas Eve in a bush between Anwiankwanta and the Jacobu Junction in the Ashanti Region.

The suspects were part of a five-member gang that reportedly opened fire on police officers after encountering them during an intelligence-led operation. Two other members of the gang escaped and are currently on the run.

The injured suspects were rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital following the exchange of gunfire but were pronounced dead on arrival. They have been identified as Seidu Issah, 29; Musah Yakubu, 35; and Yahaya Munkaila, also known as Tijani, 25. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for preservation and autopsy.

A police situational report (SITREP), sighted by Graphic Online, said investigations are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and recover additional weapons. The report noted that the deceased suspects and their accomplices were wanted in connection with several robberies and killings in Manso, Jacobu, and the Anwiankwanta area.

According to the SITREP, on December 24, 2025, police received intelligence that the gang had assembled in a bush between Anwiankwanta and the Jacobu Junction and were planning to launch an attack along the Anwiankwanta–Obuasi road.

Acting on the information, police carried out an operation using four service vehicles to raid the area. Upon arrival, officers spotted about five young men armed with guns. The suspects allegedly opened fire and attempted to flee through the bush, prompting police to return fire. Three suspects were shot, while the remaining two escaped, reportedly with gunshot wounds.

A search of the area led to the recovery of two pump-action guns loaded with six rounds of ammunition each, one unbranded pistol, and a sack containing 25 live cartridges and six spent cartridges.

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