Prosecution Witness Declines to Attend D68 Million Hajj Visa Fraud Case

Kanimang Bajo in blue outside court © Askanwi Media

By Fatou Konteh

The first prosecution witness in the alleged D68 million Hajj visa fraud case against Kanimang Bajo declined to appear before the Kanifing Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 22nd July 2026, resulting in the adjournment of the case.

Kanimang Bajo is charged with obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 265 of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025. The offence, which relates to allegations that he defrauded prospective Hajj pilgrims of about D68 million in a visa scam, is a misdemeanour punishable upon conviction by up to three years' imprisonment.

Prosecutor Abdoulie Sanneh, representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), informed the court that the first prosecution's witness, Omar Ceesay, had refused to attend despite efforts to persuade him to testify.

According to Sanneh, the witness indicated that he did not want to go against the group of alleged victims, who were reportedly planning to pursue the matter before the High Court. The prosecutor told the court that the police had explained to the witness that the criminal proceedings before the Magistrates' Court and any civil action before the High Court could proceed simultaneously.

However, Sanneh said the witness maintained his refusal to testify, suggesting that the decision may have been influenced by advice from the victims' group or their legal representatives.

The prosecutor further requested more time, explaining that the matter involves an international investigation. He told the court that some police officers had been dispatched to Guinea-Bissau as part of the ongoing investigation.

Counsel for the accused, Lamin Ceesay, opposed the application for an adjournment and raised concerns over what he described as harassment directed at the defence team during the previous court sitting.

"We were harassed, insulted, and even threatened," Counsel Ceesay told the court, adding that videos of the incident had circulated widely on social media and could prejudice public opinion against the accused's legal representatives.

The defence argued that the prosecution had failed to provide a convincing explanation for the witness's absence and urged the court not to continue granting repeated adjournments.

Responding, Prosecutor Sanneh urged defence counsel to remain calm, stating that "your client is safer in the hands of the police than the public”.

In her ruling, presiding Magistrate Awa Manneh, the court condemned all forms of intimidation, harassment, and insults directed at defence counsel or the family members of accused persons. She emphasised that every accused person has a constitutional right to legal representation and that lawyers must be allowed to represent their clients without fear, intimidation, or interference.

The court ruled that this would be the final adjournment in the matter and adjourned the case to 13th August 2026 at 10:00 a.m.