High Court to continue Mustapha Hamid trial during legal vacation, adjourns to August 18 

An Accra High Court has ruled that the criminal trial involving Dr Mustapha Hamid, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), will continue during the legal vacation.

The Court said the warrant authorising the vacation sittings remained in force and would continue to guide proceedings until revoked by the Chief Justice.

The Court, presided over by Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga, said it was, therefore, obliged to continue hearing the case despite the absence of some defence lawyers.

The Judge said a lawyer should be available at all material times to represent the accused persons and conduct the proceedings.

The Court consequently declined a request for the case to be adjourned to October and directed that proceedings continue in accordance with the warrant authorising the vacation sittings.

Mr Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, counsel for Dr Hamid, told the Court that lawyers representing the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth accused persons were absent because some had travelled outside the country while others had prior commitments.

He said the affected lawyers had petitioned the Chief Justice to allow the case to resume in October but had not received a response.

Mr Kpemka said the lawyers had made arrangements in anticipation of the legal vacation, including medical appointments, programmes and travel plans, some of which were supported by flight bookings.

He said the lawyers would follow up with the Office of the Chief Justice to determine whether their petition would be granted or rejected.

Mr Kpemka acknowledged that the Court was acting within its authority by continuing with the case because the warrant remained in force pending a determination by the Chief Justice.

He said the defence would comply with the Court's directions because the lawyers could not abandon their clients, adding that any failure to represent them could adversely affect the accused persons' interests.

The lawyer said the defence remained ready to proceed with the trial but appealed to the Chief Justice to consider the circumstances surrounding the legal vacation.

He expressed confidence that the Chief Justice would exercise the discretion granted under Articles 296 and 23 of the 1992 Constitution to consider the request.

Mr Kpemka said if the petition was rejected, the affected lawyers would consider other available legal options.

The Court had earlier directed that, if counsel for the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth accused persons were not present, it would proceed with the Case Management Conference (CMC).

The case was subsequently adjourned to August 18, 2026, for continuation of the CMC.