The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially filed charges against the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and nine other officials over alleged acts of corruption and extortion.
According to the OSP, Dr. Abdul-Hamid, together with other senior officials of the Authority, conspired to extort a staggering GH¢280.51 million from oil marketing companies between 2022 and 2024.
However, in a swift rebuttal, Dr. Abdul-Hamid has denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
“Dr. Hamid has not been served with any court processes. The media reports suggesting a 25-count indictment are inaccurate,” a statement issued by his legal representatives, Hay & Partners At Law, said.
The lawyers further questioned the credibility of the OSP’s case, noting that the initial investigation focused on an alleged embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion, which has now shifted to extortion.
“There are glaring inconsistencies in the OSP’s approach. The figures keep changing, and the narrative is being restructured to suit a predetermined outcome,” the statement added.
To support their client’s record, the legal team cited audited financial statements showing marked improvements in the NPA’s finances under Dr. Hamid’s tenure. They highlighted that the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) rose from GH¢53.2 million in 2021 to over GH¢1.1 billion by the end of 2024.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid, who served as Minister for Information before assuming the NPA role, insists he discharged his duties with “integrity and professionalism,” and views the current allegations as an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
The case has since attracted widespread public interest, with many observers describing it as a litmus test for Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions and judicial independence.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hamid and nine other accused persons are expected to appear before Criminal Division 3 of the High Court on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, to respond to the charges.
The OSP confirmed the court date in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
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