The controversy surrounding former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and the Office of the
The controversy surrounding former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has become one of Ghana’s most talked-about legal battles of 2025.
What began as an allegation of grand corruption has now evolved into a public standoff filled with inconsistencies, shifting charges, and accusations of political witch-hunting.
The Beginning of the Saga
It all started on 12th February 2025, when Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng held a dramatic press conference announcing investigations into Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and other officials for allegedly embezzling GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF).
The announcement was based, surprisingly, on a newspaper publication that did not even name Dr. Hamid as a suspect but mentioned Jacob Amuah, the UPPF Coordinator.
Legal analysts immediately questioned the credibility of launching such a high-profile investigation based solely on a media report. Dr. Hamid’s legal team promptly wrote to the OSP, accusing Kissi Agyebeng of defamation and demanding an immediate retraction.
Faced with possible legal action, the OSP adjusted its approach. The office then invited Dr. Abdul Hamid for questioning — not for theft or embezzlement as initially alleged, but for “mismanagement” of the UPPF, a non-criminal administrative matter.
This sudden shift in the nature of accusations sparked widespread criticism, with many describing the OSP’s handling of the case as “unprofessional and confused.”
A Record of Fiscal Growth
Dr. Abdul Hamid’s defenders point to his solid record at the NPA to challenge the corruption allegations. When he took office in 2021, the UPPF’s bank balance stood at just GH¢52 million. By the time he left in 2024, that figure had surged to GH¢1.4 billion, a sign of strong revenue management and financial discipline.
Those close to him argue that this growth directly contradicts claims of financial malfeasance. “How can a man accused of stealing preside over such an increase in national funds?” a source familiar with the NPA’s accounts told this paper.
Despite the OSP’s early media blitz, Dr. Abdul Hamid only appeared once before investigators — on 25th February 2025 — and was reportedly not questioned on embezzlement, extortion, or money laundering, the very charges now before the court.
Changing Charges And Delayed Prosecution
The OSP formally filed charges on 23rd July 2025, accusing the former NPA boss and nine others of extortion, conspiracy, abuse of office for profit, and money laundering.
The charges alleged that between December 2022 and December 2024, the accused persons extorted over GH¢291 million and US$332,407 from oil marketing companies and petroleum transporters.
However, since the filing of the case, the OSP has twice changed its charge sheet, raising concerns about prosecutorial consistency.
The court initially directed the OSP to submit its disclosures — the evidence to support the charges — by 26th August 2025, but the office failed to do so, citing amendments to the charges. When the case resumed on 20th October 2025, the prosecution once again appeared without disclosures, claiming further changes had been made.
The presiding judge adjourned the matter to 13th November 2025, effectively restarting the entire process and compelling the accused persons to re-enter their pleas.
Dr. Abdul Hamid’s lawyers, led by Hanifa Yahaya, have since described the case as “a legal circus,” insisting that the OSP is engaging in political theatrics rather than serious prosecution.
The OSP’s Justification
In response, the Office of the Special Prosecutor maintains that the charges against Dr. Abdul Hamid are backed by “strong documentary and transactional evidence.”
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the OSP accused the former NPA boss of trying to mislead the public and “undermine public confidence in the justice system.”
According to the OSP, its investigation uncovered GH¢15.3 million suspected to be proceeds of crime and identified GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000 as personal gains made by Dr. Abdul Hamid through unlawful means.
The office said it has frozen and seized assets worth more than GH¢100 million and US$100,000, allegedly linked to the accused persons.
The OSP insists that the prosecution is part of a broader national effort to curb corruption in the petroleum sector, which it describes as “one of the most complex and high-risk sectors for illicit financial activity.”
Political Undertones And Public Perception
Despite the OSP’s assurances, the case has been clouded by allegations of political motives. Dr. Abdul Hamid, a respected Islamic scholar and a key figure in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is widely regarded as a man of integrity and principle.
Many political analysts believe the charges are part of a coordinated attempt to tarnish his reputation and weaken his standing ahead of future political developments.
“The Special Prosecutor’s approach has been inconsistent and selective,” one political observer noted. “From embezzlement to mismanagement, and now to extortion — it’s difficult to take this case seriously.”
Dr. Abdul Hamid himself has been vocal about what he calls the OSP’s “politically motivated agenda.”
Speaking after a court appearance in October, he dismissed the charges outright, saying, “This case is useless. It’s a distraction, not justice.”
What Lies Ahead
As the case resumes on November 13, 2025, the legal battle between Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and the OSP will enter a crucial phase.
The defence is expected to push for dismissal, arguing that the prosecution lacks credible evidence and has failed to comply with procedural timelines.
Meanwhile, the OSP appears determined to proceed, portraying the case as a test of the commitment to holding powerful public officials accountable.
Whether the trial will vindicate Dr. Hamid or validate the OSP’s allegations remains to be seen.
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