Fresh controversy has erupted between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, following what his lawyers describe as a deliberate campaign of misinformation over alleged assets linked to him.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, HAY & Partners at Law, counsel for Dr. Abdul-Hamid, accused the OSP of engaging in “trial by publicity”, saying the agency’s recent social media publications were designed to create public suspicion without evidence.
The firm said its client “neither owns, partly owns, controls, nor has any form of interest, connection, or linkage whatsoever” to any of the assets purportedly traced by the OSP in its ongoing investigations.
“None of the assets listed can, by any stretch of evidence or logic, be traced to or associated with him,” the statement stressed.
Lawyers Challenge OSP’s Transparency
HAY & Partners criticized what it called the OSP’s ambiguous communication strategy, arguing that while the agency has been quick to publicize the existence of investigations, it has failed to clearly identify the true owners of the properties it references.
“The Special Prosecutor’s duties demand candour, restraint, and professionalism — not publicity stunts or speculative storytelling,” the statement read.
The firm said the use of the case title “The Republic v. Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid & 9 Others” in public updates creates an unfair association between the former NPA boss and assets with which he has no connection.
It described the OSP’s approach as “a sensational diversion, unmoored from fact or evidence,” warning that such tactics could undermine the very credibility of the institution created to lead the fight against corruption.
Mounting Concerns About the OSP’s Public Conduct
The dispute adds to growing concerns about the communication style and procedural transparency of the Office of the Special Prosecutor under Kissi Agyebeng.
Legal analysts and civil society observers have in recent months questioned whether the OSP’s reliance on public disclosures and social media announcements risks prejudicing ongoing investigations and violating due process.
Dr. Abdul-Hamid’s legal team argued that the OSP’s actions erode public trust and politicize law enforcement, saying their client “will not be made a scapegoat for sensational media theatrics.”
“Our client will not be the scapegoat of such theatrics. If the OSP persists, we shall respond both in court and in the public domain,” the statement warned.
Call for Professionalism and Accountability
The lawyers further urged the OSP to return to evidence-driven investigation and professional restraint, emphasizing that its mandate must not be used to smear innocent individuals through speculative public commentary.
“Continued reliance on media sensationalism rather than evidence-based prosecution erodes public confidence in the OSP — an office expected to rise above political theatrics and uphold honesty and diligence,” the release concluded.
Signed by Hanifa Yahaya, Esq., the statement reaffirmed that none of the properties or businesses publicized by the OSP belong to or are linked with Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, calling for a more transparent, fact-based approach to anti-corruption enforcement.
