Dr. Abdul-Hamid Denies OSP’s Extortion and Money Laundering Allegations
Former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has categorically rejected allegations of extortion and money laundering levelled against him by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing them as “baseless, inconsistent, and defamatory.”
In a strongly worded statement issued through his lawyer, Hanifa Yahaya of Hay and Partners at Law, Dr. Abdul-Hamid asserted that he has not been formally charged before any court of competent jurisdiction and has not been served with any charge sheet relating to the alleged GH¢280.5 million corruption scandal.
According to his legal team, the OSP has shifted its narrative multiple times since its initial claim in February 2025 that Dr. Abdul-Hamid was under investigation for alleged embezzlement of GH¢1.3 billion from the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF).
Call for Retraction Ignored
The statement recalled that on February 17, 2025, Dr. Abdul-Hamid formally wrote to the Special Prosecutor demanding a public retraction of the allegations linking him to financial malfeasance – a request which remains unaddressed.
Subsequently, on February 25, 2025, he honoured an invitation by the OSP for questioning over alleged mismanagement of the UPPF and procurement irregularities.
However, his lawyers contend that the focus of the investigation has since shifted to allegations of extortion involving unnamed victims and money laundering, with the supposed amount reduced from GH¢1.3 billion to GH¢280 million.
“No Involvement in Any Extortion Scheme”
“Our client categorically denies initiating or being involved in any extortion scheme, either directly or indirectly, in any form or manner,” the statement read. “He further denies receiving any personal benefit from any such alleged extortion.”
The legal team described the accusations as part of an orchestrated effort to tarnish the image of a public servant whose tenure at the NPA, from 2021 to 2024, was marked by transparency, professionalism, and financial discipline.
NPA Accounts Grew Under Hamid’s Tenure
To support their claim, the lawyers cited official NPA financial records, which they say show significant growth in the Authority’s key accounts during Dr. Abdul-Hamid’s administration:
| Account | 2021 Opening Balance | 2024 Closing Balance |
|---|---|---|
| UPPF | GH¢53.2 million | GH¢1.14 billion |
| PDM | (GH¢18.4 million) | GH¢470.7 million |
| PPMS | GH¢20.1 million | GH¢90.7 million |
| Operational Acct. | GH¢53.3 million | GH¢237.9 million |
“These figures are not merely bookkeeping. They are a testament to our client’s fiscal discipline, managerial competence, and integrity,” the lawyers said, adding that testimonies from industry players further underscore Dr. Abdul-Hamid’s contributions to the petroleum sector.
Prepared to Defend His Name
The legal team stated that Dr. Abdul-Hamid is fully prepared to defend himself in court if necessary and remains confident that the allegations will be proven unfounded.
“Our client is ready to defend his good name. He has nothing to hide,” the statement added.
OSP’s Allegations and Co-Accused
The OSP alleges that laundered funds were channelled into the acquisition of fuel tankers, construction of fuel stations, and purchase of real estate assets under an oil distribution business—acts intended to disguise the criminal origin of the money.
The other individuals named in the case include Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Coordinator of the UPPF and Managing Director of three implicated companies, and Wendy Newman, an NPA staff member.
Charges listed by the OSP include:
Extortion by a Public Officer, contrary to Section 151 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, contrary to Section 23 of Act 29 and Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)
Dr. Abdul-Hamid has called on the OSP to either produce credible evidence or withdraw the allegations entirely, maintaining his innocence and readiness to face due legal process.
