The High Court has dismissed an application by former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, seeking permission to travel while standing trial in a criminal case involving allegations of extortion and money laundering.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which is prosecuting the case, disclosed the decision in a brief update on the proceedings in ‘The Republic v. Mustapha Hamid & 7 Others’.
According to the OSP, Dr Hamid moved the application for permission to travel, but the prosecution opposed the request.
The court held that an accused person who is on bail and whose movement is restricted must demonstrate compelling reasons before the court can temporarily lift the restriction.
It found that the grounds presented by Dr Hamid did not justify granting the request and consequently dismissed the application.
Background
Dr Hamid, a former Minister of Information and former Chief Executive of the NPA, is the first accused in a criminal prosecution brought by the OSP against former NPA officials and persons associated with private companies.
The prosecution alleges that the accused persons participated in an extortion scheme involving petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies, with the proceeds allegedly channelled into property acquisitions and business investments to conceal their origins.
The OSP initially announced 25 counts against the accused persons in July 2025. In October 2025, it amended the charges, increasing the total to 54 following what it described as the discovery of additional evidence.
The charges include extortion by a public officer, using public office for profit, conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering. The alleged sums identified in the amended charges total GH¢291,574,087.19 and US$332,407.47.
