The High Court has maintained restrictions on the movements of former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive Officer Mustapha Hamid after dismissing his application for permission to travel abroad while standing trial for alleged extortion in the petroleum sector.
In its ruling on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the Court held that an accused person on bail who is subject to movement restrictions must demonstrate compelling reasons to justify temporarily lifting those conditions.
It consequently ruled that the grounds advanced by Hamid were insufficient to warrant the relief he sought.
The application, filed by Hamid, the first accused in the case of The Republic v Mustapha Hamid & 7 Others, was opposed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Hamid, a former Information Minister, is standing trial alongside seven others over allegations of extorting money from players in the petroleum sector. The allegations are yet to be determined by the Court.
The latest ruling follows earlier proceedings in which the accused persons unsuccessfully sought to have the charge sheet struck out, allowing the case to proceed to the pre-trial stage.
The trial has also been marked by disagreements over the conduct of proceedings. On an earlier occasion, the Court rejected an adjournment request by Hamid’s lead counsel, Joseph Kpemka.
Following Thursday’s decision, Hamid remains subject to the existing movement restrictions unless the Court issues a further order.
The case is expected to proceed with a case management conference as the prosecution and defence prepare for the next stage of the trial.
