Mustapha Hamid denied permission to travel by High Court

The High Court has rejected an application from Mustapha Hamid, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), seeking permission to travel abroad. The ruling, delivered on October 22, 2026, ensures that Hamid remains within the jurisdiction as he faces trial for alleged extortion in the petroleum sector. The court found that the grounds provided for lifting the existing movement restrictions were insufficient to justify the request.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) led the opposition to the travel application, emphasizing the necessity of compelling reasons before any bail conditions or movement restrictions are altered. Hamid is currently on trial alongside seven other defendants in a case involving allegations of extortion during his tenure at the petroleum regulator. Prosecutors argued that maintaining the travel ban is essential to ensure the accused persons' presence throughout the judicial proceedings.

In its decision, the court upheld the OSP's objections, noting that the defense had not met the burden of proof required to temporarily vacate the standing orders. This development follows previous legal maneuvering in the case, including earlier requests for adjournments that were also scrutinized by the bench. The court indicated that the pre-trial processes will continue as scheduled despite the defense's failed bid to secure travel leave for the former CEO.

The trial remains one of the high-profile cases currently being prosecuted by the OSP as part of its mandate to address corruption within public institutions. With the travel application dismissed, Hamid's movement restrictions will stay in place until the court decides otherwise or the trial concludes. The case is expected to proceed with further hearings to determine the merits of the extortion charges brought against the eight accused individuals.