The High Court in Accra has refused an application by former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Hamid, seeking permission to travel outside Ghana while standing trial for alleged corruption.
Dr Hamid, who also served as Minister for Information, is the first accused in the case The Republic v Mustapha Hamid & 7 Others. He is facing prosecution alongside seven other individuals over allegations of extorting funds from operators within the petroleum sector.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) strongly opposed the application, contending that the bail conditions restricting the former NPA boss’s movements should remain intact.
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, 22 October 2026, the presiding judge stated that any accused person on bail subject to movement restrictions must demonstrate compelling and exceptional reasons before such terms can be temporarily varied.
The court held that the grounds advanced by Dr Hamid failed to meet this legal threshold, leading to the immediate dismissal of his motion.
The trial has experienced several procedural exchanges prior to this decision. Defense lawyers previously attempted to have the charge sheet thrown out, but the court rejected the application to allow pre-trial processes to proceed. Furthermore, the court turned down an earlier request for an adjournment submitted by lead counsel Joseph Kpemka.
With the dismissal of the travel request, Dr Hamid’s travel restrictions remain fully in force. The court is scheduled to proceed with the Case Management Conference to outline timelines for the main trial.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
