Ghana’s downstream petroleum regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), former Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has denied what he described as spurious claims by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) that it has seized and frozen assets valued at more than GH¢100 million and over US$100 million linked to him.
His lawyer, Hanifa Yahaya of Hay & Partners, said no properties belonging to Dr. Abdul-Hamid have been identified, traced, or confiscated, and described the OSP’s statements as “false, misleading, and damaging.”
Dr. Abdul-Hamid is currently standing trial before the Criminal High Court in Accra on several counts of alleged corruption and financial crimes, including extortion and money laundering—charges he has flatly denied.
The next court appearance is scheduled for November 13, 2025. In a viral video circulating recently, Dr. Abdul-Hamid was heard dismissing the case as “useless,” accompanied by laughter.
His remarks appear to have irked the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which reiterated that it has seized and frozen assets valued at more than GH¢100 million and over US$100,000, with additional assets still under active tracing.
“These actions are based on strong documentary, banking, and transaction evidence linking the proceeds to the alleged offences.
This case represents a major step in protecting public funds, ensuring accountability in the petroleum sector, and affirming that no public official is above the law. The seriousness of the charges and the scale of the alleged losses make this prosecution a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to fighting corruption,” the OSP stated.
However, reacting to the OSP’s statement, HAY & Partners at Law, legal counsel for Dr. Abdul-Hamid, described the OSP’s claims as “false, misleading, and injurious,” insisting that no assets or businesses belonging to or associated with Dr. Abdul-Hamid have been identified, traced, or seized by the OSP.
“Our client owns no such assets, directly or indirectly, and no property worth the stated amount exists anywhere in connection with him,” the statement said.
The lawyers further noted that the OSP’s own amended charge sheet, filed on October 17, 2025, contains no reference to any such assets, stressing that the accompanying statement of facts is “devoid of any mention of supposed seized properties.”
The firm criticized the OSP for making public assertions inconsistent with its court filings, describing such conduct as unethical and contrary to prosecutorial standards.
“Engaging in public commentary that distorts facts before the court is inconsistent with those obligations and unbecoming of the prosecutorial office,” the statement added.
According to the lawyers, Dr. Abdul-Hamid has cooperated fully with the OSP since the commencement of investigations—honouring all invitations, appearing in court when required, and demonstrating respect for judicial processes.
“It is deeply regrettable that instead of complying with court orders, including directives to file disclosures, the OSP has chosen to engage in public theatrics and false reportage,” the lawyers said, urging the OSP to focus on “prosecutorial diligence rather than media sensationalism.”
They reminded the public that Dr. Abdul-Hamid remains innocent until proven guilty, as guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution, warning that attempts to misinform the public risk undermining the rule of law and the integrity of the judicial process.
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