Dr Mustapha Abdul Hamid, a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has initiated a GH¢20 million defamation lawsuit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

The action follows allegations linking him to the purported misappropriation of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF).

The suit, lodged at the High Court (General Jurisdiction Division) in Accra on 10th November 2025, seeks a judicial declaration that the OSP’s remarks during a media briefing on 12th February 2025 were defamatory and had gravely tarnished his reputation.

Represented by Applade Chambers, Dr Hamid is requesting GH¢20 million in compensation, a full public apology, and the withdrawal of the OSP’s statement.

He is further asking the court to impose a perpetual injunction to bar the OSP and its representatives from issuing any additional defamatory comments about him.

In the statement of claim, it was indicated that in February this year, the OSP announced the commencement of investigations into alleged corruption-related offences involving the supposed diversion of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF), identifying Dr Mustapha Abdul Hamid as one of four individuals under investigation.

Read also: Mustapha Hamid, 9 others charged with extorting over GH¢291m from oil companies

Dr Hamid, however, stated in his writ that he had not been informed of any such probe prior to the announcement and denied any connection to the alleged embezzlement.

He described the OSP’s assertions as baseless, malicious, and unfounded, insisting that subsequent events have demonstrated that no such financial impropriety occurred.

According to the plaintiff, the public pronouncement by the OSP subjected him to humiliation, psychological distress, and loss of professional prospects, including consultancy and teaching engagements overseas.

He further maintained that his standing as an academic, politician, and esteemed public servant had suffered severe reputational damage.

Counsel for Dr Hamid stated that they had written to the OSP on 17 February 2025, requesting a retraction of the allegedly defamatory remarks.

However, rather than offering an apology, the OSP reportedly responded on 19 February 2025, summoning Dr Hamid to appear before it for questioning regarding the alleged mismanagement of the UPPF.