Lawyer for the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, says they are seeking permission from the court for the release of his passport to enable him to travel for a personal engagement abroad.
According to his legal counsel, Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, his client is within his right to make such a request.
Speaking on TV3 and monitored by Newsdesksgh on November 6, Lawyer Kpemka explained that they will be moving a motion requesting the return of the passport since the travel is unrelated to the ongoing criminal case.
“This is a private application we are making. It has nothing to do with the case per se,” he said.
“This one is Dr. Mustapha Hamid’s personal engagement he has outside the country.”
He noted that one of the bail conditions required Dr. Hamid to deposit his passport with the court.
“When the bail was granted, one of the conditions that was given was that we should deposit the passport,” he said, adding, “If you want to travel, you have to seek leave and the permission of the court before you can travel.”
He stressed that the process was Bert common and has happened many times before.
“In the past, under NPP it happens, under NDC it will happen,” he stated.
“There is absolutely nothing that prevents him from applying to the court and convincing the court to grant him permission to travel,” he stated.
He explained, “If the court is minded to grant it, you travel, and if it doesn’t, that’s the end of the matter.”
“So he’s only exercising his right and there’s nothing wrong with it,” Dr. Mustapha’s Lawyer stressed
Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid is currently facing multiple charges regarding conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion by a public officer, using public office for profit, and money laundering.
The charges were filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) against him and six others, including two officials of the NPA.
He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have maintained his innocence as the case is still ongoing.
