Former NPA Boss sues OSP for GH¢20 million over defamatory claims
By DL News
Published
2 min read
Filed on November 10, 2025, at the Accra High Court (General Jurisdiction Division), the suit seeks damages, an apology, and a retraction, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining the OSP.
The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid, has instituted a GH¢20 million defamation lawsuit against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for allegedly linking him to the embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF).
Filed on November 10, 2025, at the Accra High Court (General Jurisdiction Division), the suit seeks damages, an apology, and a retraction, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining the OSP from publishing any further defamatory statements concerning him.
Dr. Hamid, represented by Applade Chambers, contends that remarks made by the OSP during its February 12, 2025 media briefing were false, malicious, and damaging to his professional standing.
The OSP had announced that it was investigating corruption-related offences tied to the alleged misappropriation of GH¢1.3 billion from the UPPF and mentioned Dr. Hamid as one of the individuals under scrutiny.
In his statement of claim, Dr. Hamid insists that he was never contacted or notified by the OSP prior to the public announcement and that he had no involvement whatsoever in the alleged embezzlement.
He further maintains that subsequent developments have demonstrated that no such financial crime occurred, thereby proving the OSP’s claims baseless.
Dr. Hamid argues that the OSP’s pronouncements have inflicted serious harm on his personal and professional reputation, causing him embarrassment, psychological distress, and loss of career opportunities.
He cites instances where he lost international consultancy and academic engagements as a direct consequence of the allegations, asserting that the incident has gravely tarnished his image as a respected academic, politician, and public servant.
According to court filings, Dr. Hamid’s legal team wrote to the OSP on February 17, 2025, demanding a public apology and full retraction.
However, in its response dated February 19, 2025, the OSP reportedly declined to retract its statement and instead summoned Dr. Hamid for questioning regarding alleged mismanagement of the UPPF.
Reliefs Sought
The former NPA CEO is asking the court to:
Declare the OSP’s statement as defamatory;
Award GH¢20 million in general and exemplary damages;
Order an unqualified apology and retraction to be published widely; and
Grant a perpetual injunction preventing the OSP and its agents from issuing further defamatory statements about him.
Dr. Hamid maintains that the OSP’s public remarks were recklessly made without evidence, and therefore constituted a serious abuse of prosecutorial discretion and public trust.
