Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has filed a GHS20 million defamation lawsuit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for publicly linking him to an alleged GHS1.3 billion embezzlement from the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF).

The suit, filed at the High Court in Accra on November 10, 2025, follows a media briefing held by the OSP on February 12, 2025, where the agency announced it had launched an investigation into the alleged corruption-related offence and named Dr. Hamid among four individuals under probe.

In his writ, Dr. Hamid, represented by Applade Chambers, contends that the OSP’s statement was false, malicious, and unjustified, causing significant harm to his personal and professional reputation.

He emphasised that he was never formally notified of any investigation prior to the public announcement and maintains he had no involvement in the alleged financial misconduct.

Dr. Hamid is seeking:

GHS20 million in damages for defamation

A declaration that the OSP’s statement was defamatory

An unqualified apology and retraction

A perpetual injunction barring the OSP from further defamatory remarks

According to the plaintiff, the OSP’s claims have led to emotional distress, public embarrassment, and loss of professional opportunities, including cancelled international consultancy and academic roles.

Despite a legal demand for retraction sent to the OSP on February 17, 2025, the Office responded by summoning Dr. Hamid for questioning instead of issuing an apology.