The High Court has dismissed an application by former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Mustapha Abdul-Hamid seeking permission to travel abroad while standing trial over alleged extortion in Ghana’s petroleum sector.
The court delivered its ruling on Thursday, October 22, 2026, after the application was opposed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Hamid, the first accused in the case involving him and seven others, had asked the court to allow him to travel outside Ghana despite restrictions imposed as part of his bail conditions.
In dismissing the request, the court held that an accused person whose movement is restricted while on bail must demonstrate compelling reasons to justify temporarily lifting those restrictions. It concluded that the grounds presented by Hamid did not meet that threshold.
The ruling means his existing travel restrictions remain in force unless the court issues a further order.
Hamid, a former Minister for Information, is standing trial alongside seven others in a case involving alleged extortion and related offences connected to the petroleum sector. The prosecution alleges that unlawful payments were obtained through a scheme involving officials of the NPA and other individuals.
The accused persons have previously challenged the charges, seeking to have them struck out. However, the High Court dismissed that application in September, allowing the case to proceed.
