Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has filed a GH¢20 million defamation suit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over allegations linking him to the alleged embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF).
In a writ filed at the Accra High Court (General Jurisdiction Division) on November 10, 2025, Dr Hamid is asking the court to declare that the OSP’s statement during its February 12, 2025, media briefing was defamatory and had caused severe damage to his reputation.
Represented by Applade Chambers, Dr Hamid is demanding GH¢20 million in damages, a public apology, and a retraction of the OSP’s statement. He is also seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the OSP and its officers from making further defamatory remarks against him.
According to his statement of claim, the OSP had announced that it was investigating alleged corruption-related offences involving the misappropriation of GH¢1.3 billion from the UPPF, naming Dr Hamid among four individuals under probe.
Dr Hamid, however, insists he was never notified of any such investigation prior to the announcement and maintains he had no involvement in any wrongdoing.
He described the OSP’s claims as false, malicious, and baseless, asserting that later findings confirmed no such embezzlement occurred.
He further claims the allegations caused severe embarrassment, emotional distress, and professional setbacks, including the withdrawal of consultancy and academic offers abroad.
The writ also reveals that Dr Hamid’s lawyers wrote to the OSP on February 17, 2025, demanding a retraction and apology.
However, the OSP reportedly responded on February 19, 2025, instead directing him to appear for questioning regarding the alleged mismanagement of the UPPF.
