Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has firmly denied any involvement in an alleged GHS280 million extortion and money laundering case.
Responding to a press release from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which named him among seven individuals and three companies charged in the scandal, Dr. Abdul-Hamid’s lawyers described the accusations as baseless and shifting.
“Our client denies all the allegations… He is ready to contest all the allegations in court and defend his good name,” the legal team stated on Thursday, July 17.
The lawyers referenced a previous accusation from February 2025, when the OSP alleged Dr. Abdul-Hamid had embezzled GHS1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF). They say the OSP failed to retract the claims despite a formal demand.
Although Dr. Abdul-Hamid was questioned by the OSP over procurement infractions and mismanagement of the UPPF, the lawyers argue that the charges have since changed drastically, now focusing on extortion and money laundering, with a reduced alleged amount of GHS280 million.
The OSP claims that Dr. Abdul-Hamid personally received GHS24 million from the funds reportedly extorted from oil marketing firms and transporters. His legal team, however, rejected this outright:
“He categorically denies initiating or being involved in any extortion scheme, either directly or indirectly. He further denies receiving any personal benefit.”
They criticized what they called the OSP’s “inconsistent narrative” and reaffirmed Dr. Abdul-Hamid’s commitment to clearing his name in court.
