The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has come under heavy criticism following the mugshot releases of accused persons in the case: Republic v Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and 9 Others.
The OSP, on Thursday, July 17, released a mugshot accompanied by the caption: "Update Accused Mustapha Hamid and 9 Others will be put before the Criminal Division 3 of the High Court on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.
All accused persons are currently on OSP inquiry bail." Though the office added a legal disclaimer stating that "all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty," many Ghanaians on X say the damage to reputations may already be done. "You see how you are tarnishing people's high-end reputation with your allegations?
May it be done to you and your entourage with interest one day," one user, @Peekolo_, fumed on X (formerly Twitter). @AbaenVandam questioned the necessity of the move: "I honestly don't see the need to put these pictures out here… I support ORAL 100, but not when you risk tarnishing the reputation of 'innocent' people with these sorts of actions." Another user, @MPKwarteng_, appeared to support the OSP's approach, "Be firm and do not bow to undue pressure from any quarter… Prove your critics wrong, for once.
