The former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, is seeking GH¢20 million in damages from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

According to a writ filed at the High Court on Monday, November 10, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid alleged that the OSP’s accusation that he embezzled GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF) is false.

He has therefore called on the Court to ensure that the OSP publicly retracts the accusation and issues an unqualified apology. Through his lawyers at Applade Chambers, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid has also demanded a perpetual injunction to prevent further defamatory remarks against him by the OSP and its agents.

The National Petroleum Authority was established by an Act of Parliament (NPA Act 2005, ACT 691) to regulate the petroleum downstream industry in Ghana. As a Regulator, the Authority ensures that the industry remains efficient, profitable, fair, and at the same time, ensures that consumers receive value for money.

The petroleum downstream sector in Ghana encompasses all activities involved in the importation and refining of crude oil as well as the sale, marketing, and distribution of refined petroleum products in the country.

The various commercial activities of the industry include importation, exportation, re-exportation, shipment, transportation, processing, refining, storage, distribution, marketing, and sale of petroleum products. The industry is one of the key sub-sectors and a major contributor to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, who led the NPA from 2021 until early 2024, oversaw the regulation of petroleum product pricing, fuel quality assurance, and the management of the UPPF.

Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid’s demand comes as the OSP has petitioned Criminal Court 3 of the High Court in Accra to transfer his case, along with 10 others, to a new court following the filing of a fresh charge sheet.

According to prosecutors from the OSP, new charges against the accused were submitted on October 17, and the case has now been assigned to Criminal Court 4 for trial.

“We humbly pray that to ensure a smooth transition, the court should oblige us the same date, December 9, so that we may on that day withdraw from this court and proceed to the other court CC4,” the prosecution stated.

On Wednesday, February 12, the Office of the Special Prosecutor announced that it had launched an investigation into Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid over allegations of GH¢1.3 billion embezzlement from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund.

Speaking at a press briefing, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng confirmed that his office is probing suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses tied to the misappropriation of funds meant to regulate fuel price stability across the country.

“The OSP has commenced investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses in respect of an alleged embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).“The investigation primarily targets the following persons: the coordinator of the UPPF, Jacob Amoah; NPA staff Wendy Ashong Newman; NPA staff Freda Tandoh; and a former Chief Executive of the NPA, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid.”

National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Hanan Abdul-Wahab, is standing trial over allegations of large-scale financial misconduct during his time in office. He was arrested on June 25, along with his wife. EOCO granted a GH¢30 million bail to his wife, while he remained in custody pending fulfillment of his GH¢60 million bail condition.The arrest, which took place simultaneously in Accra and Tamale, also led to the detention of a third, unnamed individual believed to be linked to the investigation.

On Tuesday, July 8, the former NAFCO boss was released from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after being detained for 14 days. Abdul-Wahab Hanan was released after meeting a GH¢60 million bail condition backed by two guarantors.

On June 25, Hanan and his spouse were taken into custody over suspected mismanagement of funds while he led the government agency. His wife had been granted bail earlier, set at GH¢30 million.

Earlier reports indicated that Mr. Hanan had met the bail terms; however, he remained in EOCO custody, a situation that drew backlash from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which described the terms as harsh and unfair. A third suspect, an unnamed individual believed to be linked to the investigation, was also detained.

While addressing journalists at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, October 22, as part of the Government Accountability Series, the Attorney General (A-G) and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, revealed a list of luxury assets belonging to the former NAFCO boss.

His assets, according to the A-G, include a five-bedroom house at Chain Homes valued at $1.625 million; a three-bedroom house at Cantonments purchased for $600,000; and multiple plots of land at the Airport Development Area worth $750,000. Other properties include a 17-bedroom boutique hotel in Gumani, Tamale, acquired for $250,000; a four-bedroom bungalow at Dzorwulu, Accra, valued at over GH¢4.14 million; and a 0.32-acre parcel of government land purchased for GH¢307,200.

He added that the recent development was made possible through collaboration with EOCO after several properties and bank transactions were traced to Abdul-Wahab. However, Abdul-Wahab has denied all allegations leveled against him by the Attorney General. In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 22, Mr. Aludiba noted that he has instructed his lawyers to follow up on the allegations.

“I wish to state, respectfully, that these claims are untrue and do not reflect the facts of the matter. I have no involvement in the issues being referred to, and I find the comments deeply unfortunate. I look forward to the opportunity to present my side and to have my day in court, where I am confident that the truth will be made clear,” the statement added.