By Arret Jatta
A businessman has told the Banjul Magistrates’ Court that his stepfather collapsed after learning that his planned Hajj trip had failed.
Mohammed Drammeh, the first prosecution witness in the alleged fraud trial involving Kanimang Bajo and Ejabah Travel and Tours, said he paid D600,000 for his stepfather’s Hajj package. Drammeh said the payment was made at Bajo’s office in Banjul after he was introduced to the accused by one Kaw Kabba, a shop owner he knew and trusted.
He told the court that the D600,000 package included a flight ticket, hotel accommodation and a ram for Tobaski.
According to Drammeh, Bajo also arranged for his stepfather to receive a Guinea-Bissau passport.
Drammeh said a WhatsApp group was created for the prospective pilgrims, but concerns grew when the Hajj visas were not issued. He said Bajo initially urged the pilgrims to remain patient, but later informed them that the visas were unavailable.
The witness said pilgrims were then asked to report to Bajo’s office, where they were given options to either defer their trips to the following year or request refunds.
Drammeh said his stepfather had already been informed about the trip and was excited, but after learning that the trip had failed, he collapsed due to high blood pressure and was rushed to hospital.
He said some family and community members blamed him for the situation, believing he had mismanaged the money. Drammeh maintained that he had not received his D600,000 back.
The payment receipt was admitted into evidence as Exhibit A, while the Guinea-Bissau passport bearing his stepfather’s details was admitted as Exhibit D1.
Meanwhile, the prosecution amended the charges against Bajo, raising the alleged amount from over D28 million to D35,941,640.
The prosecution alleges that Bajo and Ejabah Travel and Tours obtained the money from several people under the pretext of arranging their Hajj trips to Makkah.
Bajo pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.
Magistrate Kurubally granted him bail of D35 million, but he remains in police custody after failing to meet his previous bail conditions.
The case is adjourned to September 9.