GHC280m NPA Scandal: Court rejects Mustapha Hamid’s bid to travel abroad amid trial

The High Court has dismissed an application by former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Officer Mustapha Hamid seeking permission to travel outside Ghana while standing trial over alleged extortion in the petroleum sector.

The court, ruling on Thursday, October 22, 2026, rejected Hamid’s request after finding that the reasons presented did not warrant a temporary relaxation of the restrictions on his movement.

Hamid, the first accused in the case involving The Republic v Mustapha Hamid & 7 Others, had sought the court’s approval to travel abroad. The application was opposed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

In its ruling, the court held that an accused person on bail whose movements are restricted must provide compelling reasons to justify temporarily lifting those conditions.

It concluded that Hamid had failed to meet that threshold and dismissed the application, leaving the existing restrictions in force.

Hamid, a former Minister for Information, is standing trial alongside seven others over allegations that money was extorted from players in the petroleum sector.

The accused persons had earlier sought to have the charge sheet struck out, but the court dismissed their application, allowing the pre-trial process to continue.

The proceedings have also involved disagreements over scheduling. On an earlier occasion, the court rejected an adjournment request by Hamid’s lead counsel, Joseph Kpemka.

The case is expected to proceed with a case management conference as the court continues preparations for trial.