Hajj Fraud Case: PW3 Tells Court She Paid Bajo D600,000 for Father’s Hajj

Kanimang Bajo - Accused © Askanwi Media

By Fatou Konteh,

In our previous story, we reported on the testimony of PW2, Ebrima Camara, who told the court that he paid D600,000 for Hajj arrangements through Kanimang Bajo.

On Wednesday 9th September 2026, witness testimonies continued with Rabiatou Sanneh of Brikama, the third prosecution witness, telling the Banjul Magistrates’ Court that she paid D600,000 for her fater to travel for Hajj.

Sanneh told the court that she became aware of Kanimang Bajo’s company, Ejaba Travel, through Muhammad Faye, a staff member of Gambia International Airlines (GIA).

She said she initially went to GIA to make payment but was informed by Faye that the company was already full. Faye subsequently gave her Bajo’s telephone number.

According to Sanneh, Bajo instructed her to make the payment through Ajib Bank and take the receipt to his office.

She said she later went to Bajo’s office with Faye, where Fatoumata Taal recorded the payment details and issued her a receipt showing D600,000 in the name of her father, Bassy Sanneh.

Sanneh testified that she was subsequently instructed to submit two passport-size photographs of her father.

She said Bajo assured her that once the required documents were submitted, her father would travel on the first flight.

She also testified that the family later paid D1,000 for her father’s vaccination and made preparations for the journey, including purchasing a suitcase and clothes. However, her father did not travel.

Sanneh told the court that the failed journey was a major disappointment for her family and that her father subsequently developed high blood pressure.

She said Bajo later informed applicants that two documents were available at his office, one for those seeking refunds and another for those wishing to continue with the process.

Sanneh also testified that Bajo later sent a Guinea-Bissau passport bearing her father’s photograph to her brother through WhatsApp.

She said she had never been informed beforehand that her father would travel using a Guinean passport.

When asked whether she would have paid the money had she known her father would travel with a Guinean passport, Sanneh said she would not have paid.

The passport and payment receipt were presented to her in court, and she confirmed both.

During cross-examination, Sanneh confirmed that Muhammad Faye helped her establish contact with Bajo.

She also agreed that she trusted Faye and believed Bajo could facilitate her father’s Hajj journey because of the assurances given to her.

Defence counsel asked whether she considered Ejaba a credible company because GIA had directed her there.

Sanneh said she did not know, adding that this was what had been presented to her.

She also said her father was not among the 53 people who, according to the defence, had received Hajj visas.

Sanneh told the court that applicants were only informed about pending visas after the situation had deteriorated.

She said she was also unaware of alleged payments made to the Guinea-Bissau Hajj Commission or whether Ejaba had previously used the commission for pilgrims who travelled successfully in 2025.

When defence counsel suggested that Bajo had no fraudulent intention because the contract had simply failed, Sanneh said she could not say that.

She maintained that her expectation was for her father to travel for Hajj.