The Accra High Court on Thursday dismissed an application by former National Petroleum Authority chief executive Dr Mustapha Abdul‑Hamid to travel while on bail in the ongoing case involving him and seven others.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor, which is prosecuting the case, opposed the application. It stated that an accused person on bail whose movement is restricted must demonstrate compelling reasons to justify a temporary lifting of the restriction.
However, the court found that the grounds presented by Dr Abdul‑Hamid, the first accused person in the case, did not justify granting his request, and the application was consequently dismissed.
The Republic v. Mustapha Abdul‑Hamid & 7 Others concerns allegations of extortion and money laundering involving funds collected from petroleum transporters and oil marketing companies during his tenure as NPA chief executive. According to the OSP, the accused persons are alleged to have been involved in a scheme through which approximately GH¢291.57 million and US$332,407 were unlawfully obtained between 2022 and 2024.
The prosecution has brought 54 charges against the accused persons, including extortion, corruption‑related offences, conspiracy and money laundering. Dr Abdul‑Hamid and his co‑accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The allegations remain to be established in court.
What follows is the court’s decision to keep the accused on restricted bail and the ongoing legal process that will determine the final outcome of the case.
