Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid, has initiated a GH¢20 million defamation suit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) due to allegations connecting him to the purported embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF).
In a legal document submitted to the High Court (General Jurisdiction Division) in Accra on November 10, 2025, Dr. Hamid seeks a ruling that the remarks made by the OSP during a media briefing on February 12, 2025, were defamatory and have inflicted considerable harm on his reputation.
The former NPA leader, represented by his legal team at Applade Chambers, is requesting GH¢20 million in damages, an unequivocal apology, and a retraction of the OSP’s statement.
Additionally, he is petitioning the court for a permanent injunction to prevent the OSP and its representatives from making any further defamatory statements regarding him.
As per the statement of claim, the OSP, in its February briefing, declared that it had commenced investigations into alleged corruption-related activities concerning the supposed embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion from the UPPF, identifying Dr. Hamid as one of four individuals under investigation.
In his legal filing, Dr. Hamid contended that he was never informed of any investigation prior to the briefing and had no part in any embezzlement.
He characterised the OSP’s allegations as false, malicious, and unwarranted, asserting that subsequent events have demonstrated that no such embezzlement took place.
The plaintiff, Dr. Hamid, remarked that the OSP’s public declaration has resulted in embarrassment, emotional distress, and a loss of professional opportunities, including consultancy and teaching positions overseas.
He stated that his standing as an academic, politician, and esteemed public figure has been severely damaged.
Dr. Hamid’s legal representatives noted that they had contacted the OSP on February 17, 2025, requesting a retraction of the alleged defamatory statement.
Nevertheless, rather than providing an apology, the OSP allegedly responded on February 19, 2025, instructing Dr. Hamid to appear before it for interrogation regarding the purported mismanagement of the UPPF.
