By: Fatou Krubally
An Indian businessman has told the Local Government Commission of Inquiry that Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe personally demanded an extra D5 million payment on top of an already agreed D15 million land deal, bringing the total claim to D20 million in the controversial transaction.
Nandkishore Rajwani, widely known as Nando and the owner of MK Stores, appeared before the Commission on Monday. He testified that he signed an agreement with Charbel Elhajj in May 2019 to buy a piece of land from the Banjul City Council (BCC) for D15 million. But he claimed that Charbel, whom he described as an agent for the Council, later told him the Mayor wanted an extra D5 million.
“Charbel said the Mayor asked for an extra D5 million. I met her with Charbel, and she confirmed it,” Nando told the Commission. He said this pushed his total payment to D20 million, although he is now seeking a D35 million refund, which includes other costs.
Nando explained that he first paid D2 million and later made more payments directly to Charbel. He said he never paid BCC directly because Charbel told him he would handle the payments on the Council’s behalf. “Whenever I gave money to Charbel, I called the Mayor to inform her. She always said ‘okay, okay,’” he claimed.
Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez asked him why he trusted Charbel and did not pay the Council directly. Nando replied that he believed Charbel was acting with the mayor’s blessing and that BCC officials told him to issue open cheques to make it easier for them to withdraw cash.
He said delays started when the original plot behind the National Assembly was reclaimed by the Department of Physical Planning. His lawyer later wrote to BCC demanding an alternative site, which led to an arrangement for new land at Bond Road.
When asked about documents proving the payments, Nando said he would provide all receipts and agreements. He insisted that both Mayor Lowe and former CEO Mustapha Batchilly were fully aware of the payments from start to finish.
The Commission is still investigating how public land ended up in private hands through unofficial payments and unclear deals. Hearings continue this week as more witnesses are expected to testify.