Mustapha Hamid’s request to travel abroad rejected as High Court maintains bail restrictions

The High Court in Accra has refused to grant former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Officer, Mustapha Hamid, permission to travel outside Ghana as he faces criminal charges relating to alleged extortion in the downstream petroleum sector.

The decision means the former Information Minister must continue to comply with the travel restrictions imposed as part of his bail conditions while the criminal proceedings against him remain pending.

Delivering its ruling on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the court held that Hamid had failed to provide sufficient justification for the restrictions on his movement to be temporarily relaxed.

The application, which was opposed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), sought the court's approval to enable him to leave the country while standing trial.

Court finds no compelling grounds for travel

In refusing the application, the court explained that an accused person whose movements have been restricted as part of bail conditions must demonstrate compelling reasons before those restrictions can be varied.

After considering the circumstances presented, the court concluded that Hamid had not established sufficient grounds to justify granting him permission to travel abroad.

The application was consequently dismissed, leaving his existing bail conditions unchanged.

Background to the criminal case

Hamid is the first accused in the case titled The Republic v Mustapha Hamid & 7 Others, involving allegations of extortion within Ghana's downstream petroleum industry.

The former NPA Chief Executive and seven other accused persons are facing prosecution over allegations that money was unlawfully demanded from operators in the petroleum sector.

The accused persons had previously challenged the charge sheet filed against them, asking the High Court to strike out the charges.

However, the court dismissed that application, allowing the criminal proceedings to continue.

The case has also experienced disagreements over the scheduling of hearings.

During an earlier sitting, the court rejected an application for adjournment made by Hamid's lead counsel, Joseph Kpemka.

Case management proceedings expected

Following the dismissal of the travel application, the case is expected to proceed to a case management conference as the High Court continues preparations for trial.

The conference forms part of the pre-trial process through which the court and the parties address procedural matters necessary for the efficient conduct of the proceedings.

For now, Hamid remains subject to the travel restrictions imposed by the court, unless they are subsequently varied through another judicial order.

The criminal allegations against him and the other accused persons have not been determined, and they remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with the law.