By Dawda M. Jallow
The fraud case involving Kanimang Bajo and Ejabah Travel and Tours Company resumed Wednesday at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, with the prosecution amending the charges from more than D28 million to D35,941,640.
Bajo is accused of obtaining money from several people on the pretext of facilitating their travel to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, for the Hajj pilgrimage. He pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.
Commissioner of Prosecutions A. Sanneh told the court that the prosecution sought to amend the charges to include additional names and amounts.
Principal Magistrate Kurubally noted that Bajo had already pleaded not guilty to the original charges and directed that the additional names and amounts be incorporated into the existing charges before the accused entered a fresh plea.
The amended charge alleged that Bajo and Ejabah Travel and Tours Company obtained D35,941,640 from several people on the pretext of facilitating their Hajj trips, thereby committing an offence.
When the amended charge was read to him, Bajo pleaded not guilty.
The court subsequently granted him bail in the sum of D35 million, with the option of providing the same sureties under the previous bail arrangement or properties valued at D35 million.
However, the court was informed that Bajo had not fulfilled the previous bail conditions and remained in police custody.
The prosecution then called its first witness, businessman Mohammed Drammeh.
Drammeh told the court that he knew Bajo and became aware of Ejabah Travel and Tours through radio advertisements promoting Hajj packages.
He said he later contacted Kaw Kabba, a shop owner whom he had known and trusted for a long time. According to Drammeh, Kabba took him to Bajo’s office in Banjul after he expressed interest in arranging a Hajj trip for his stepfather.
Drammeh testified that he met Bajo and his secretary, Jim, at the office and paid D600,000 for the Hajj package.
“I pulled out the money and placed it on the table. The three of them, Kanimang, Kaw Kabba and the secretary Jim, sat to count the money,” he told the court.
He said Bajo informed him that the D600,000 package covered hotel accommodation, an air ticket and a Tobaski ram.
Drammeh further testified that Bajo told him a Guinea-Bissau passport would be provided for his stepfather.
He said he sent two passport-sized photographs to Kabba, who forwarded them to Bajo. Drammeh said he was later sent a photograph of the passport through WhatsApp but did not receive the physical document at the time.
According to the witness, a WhatsApp group was subsequently created for prospective pilgrims.
Drammeh said concerns arose when some pilgrims had passports but had not received visas. He said they were informed that the visas were being processed and were urged to remain patient.
He told the court that Bajo later informed the group that visas were unavailable and asked affected intending pilgrims to report to his office.
According to Drammeh, the pilgrims were given the option of postponing their Hajj trip until the following year or requesting refunds.
He said he had yet to receive his money and that the situation had caused him embarrassment in his community.
Drammeh also testified that his stepfather collapsed after learning that the Hajj trip would not take place and was subsequently taken to hospital.
The prosecution tendered a receipt for the D600,000 payment, which was admitted into evidence without objection and marked Exhibit A.
During cross-examination, Drammeh maintained that he trusted Kabba because of their longstanding relationship.
The defence also questioned him about the Hajj visas and the role of the Hajj Commission in Guinea-Bissau.
Drammeh said he was unaware of any claim that the remaining visas had been blocked by the commission.
Following an application by the defense, the original Guinea-Bissau passport bearing the name and photograph of Drammeh’s stepfather was produced from Police Headquarters and admitted into evidence as Exhibit D1.
The court adjourned the case until Sept. 9th 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for continuation of proceedings.
About The Author
