A high-stakes legal showdown is unfolding as Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), files a GH¢20 million defamation suit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The case, lodged at the Accra High Court on November 10, 2025, could set a crucial precedent for the balance between public accountability and individual reputation in Ghana’s governance space.
At the centre of the dispute is a February 12, 2025 media briefing by the OSP, during which officials announced an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF) — naming Dr. Hamid as one of the individuals under probe.
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Dr. Hamid, however, insists he had no prior knowledge of any such investigation and categorically denies involvement in any wrongdoing. In his statement of claim, he describes the OSP’s comments as false, malicious, and unfounded, arguing that the remarks have gravely tarnished his reputation, both locally and internationally.
Through his lawyers at Applade Chambers, Dr. Hamid is demanding: GH¢20 million in damages for reputational harm; a public apology and retraction, and a court injunction restraining the OSP from making further defamatory statements.
According to his legal filing, the allegations have caused him severe emotional distress and professional damage, including the loss of consultancy and academic opportunities abroad.
Despite a formal demand for retraction on February 17, 2025, the OSP responded two days later not with an apology, but with a summons for questioning regarding the alleged UPPF mismanagement.
For Dr. Hamid, the matter now transcends the fund itself. It’s about defending his integrity. “This is no longer about the UPPF—it’s about my name, my career, and my dignity.”