Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul Hamid, has initiated a GH¢20 million defamation lawsuit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) following allegations linking him to the purported 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 statement made by the OSP during a media briefing on February 12, 2025, was defamatory and had severely harmed his reputation.
Through his legal representatives at 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 prevent the OSP and its officers from making any further defamatory remarks about him.
According to the statement of claim, the OSP announced during its February briefing that it had launched investigations into alleged corruption-related offences involving the misappropriation of GH¢1.3 billion from the UPPF and identified Dr Hamid as one of four individuals under investigation.
Dr Hamid contends that he was never informed of any such investigation before the public announcement and insists he had no role or involvement in any act of embezzlement. He described the OSP’s claims as false, malicious, and unfounded, maintaining that subsequent findings have proven that no such embezzlement occurred.
The former NPA boss argues that the OSP’s public statement caused him severe embarrassment, emotional distress, and professional losses, including the withdrawal of consultancy and academic opportunities abroad.
He further asserts that the allegations have tarnished his image as an academic, politician, and respected public servant.
The writ also reveals that on February 17, 2025, Dr Hamid’s lawyers wrote to the OSP demanding a retraction and apology.
However, instead of addressing the concerns, the OSP reportedly responded on February 19, 2025, directing Dr Hamid to appear for questioning regarding the alleged mismanagement of the UPPF.
