The legal team representing Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has strongly denied corruption charges filed against him by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing the allegations as unsubstantiated and inconsistent.
In a press statement issued on July 17, 2025, his lawyers at Hay & Partners At Law disclosed that Abdul-Hamid had not been formally served with any charge sheet, despite media reports citing a 25-count indictment for extortion and money laundering.
“As at the time of issuing this press statement, our client has not been charged before any court of competent jurisdiction. We are yet to sight any charge sheet,” the firm stated.
The OSP alleges that between 2022 and 2024, Abdul-Hamid and other NPA officials conspired to extort GHS 280.51 million from oil marketing companies. Of that amount, prosecutors claim GHS 24 million was received by Abdul-Hamid personally, while GHS 227 million was funneled through NPA staff member Wendy Newman and laundered via three private companies to acquire real estate, fuel tankers, and service stations.
However, Abdul-Hamid’s lawyers argue that the charges have shifted over time, starting with GHS 1.3 billion embezzlement accusations in February 2025, later revised to procurement breaches, and now culminating in the extortion claim involving a smaller sum.
In defence of his tenure, the legal team presented audited financials showing significant growth in key petroleum fund balances. The Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) reportedly rose from GHS 53.2 million in 2021 to GHS 1.14 billion by December 2024, while the Price Differential Margin account moved from a negative GHS 18.4 million to a positive GHS 470.6 million.
Lawyer Hanifa Yahaya, speaking for the legal team, said Abdul-Hamid “served the nation with utmost integrity and competence,” pointing to industry recognition for his leadership at the NPA.
The case also involves eight other individuals and three corporate entities, with one suspect, Osei Tutu Adjei, currently on the run. The prosecution’s handling of the case is being watched closely as a key test of Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions.
As court proceedings loom, Abdul-Hamid’s lawyers remain defiant, insisting: “Our client categorically denies initiating or being involved in any extortion scheme… and further denies receiving any personal benefit.”
