Kanimang Bajo Pleads Not Guilty in D28.9 Million Hajj Fraud Case, Granted D28 Million Bail

Kanimang Bajo has pleaded not guilty to a charge of obtaining money by false pretence in an alleged Hajj travel scheme involving more than D28.9 million and over 50 complainants.

Mr. Bajo appeared before Principal Magistrate Krubally at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, where he was formally charged and later granted bail in the sum of D28 million.

Prosecutors allege that between 2025 and 2026, Mr. Bajo and his company obtained D28,901,640 from more than 50 people at various locations in Banjul after promising to facilitate their travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

According to the charge, those representations were false and were known by the accused to be false when they were made. The alleged conduct constitutes an offence under Section 265 of the Criminal Offences Act of 2025.

The charge sheet lists 50 complainants, including Jainaba Touray, Yankuba Manneh, Ba Tapha Njai Tamba, Iida Camara, Alimameh Jaiteh, Baluta Darboe, Lamin F. Jammeh, Mamadi Ceesay, Yaya Manjang, Satou Ceesay and Yassin Ceesay.

Commissioner A. Sanneh appeared for the Inspector General of Police, assisted by DSP E. Sarr and PC 9099 M.B. Sonko. Lawyer M.L. Ceesay represented Mr. Bajo.

Mr. Bajo, who chose to have the proceedings conducted in Mandinka, listened as the charge was read and translated in open court.

“I plead not guilty to the charge,” he told the court.

Magistrate Krubally entered the plea and noted that Mr. Bajo is presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Commissioner Sanneh then asked the court to adjourn the matter to allow prosecutors to begin presenting their evidence. The prosecution did not oppose bail but urged the court to take into account the substantial amount of money involved in the case.

Mr. Bajo’s lawyer subsequently applied for bail, citing constitutional protections for personal liberty and the presumption of innocence, as well as provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2025 governing bail.

Mr. Ceesay relied on Sections 19 and 24 of the 1997 Constitution and Sections 123 and 127 of the Criminal Procedure Act. He argued that his client was charged with a bailable offence and should be released while awaiting trial.

After hearing both sides, Magistrate Krubally granted the application, saying the court’s discretion on bail must be exercised “statutorily, judicially, and judiciously.”

Mr. Bajo was granted bail of D28 million, subject to stringent conditions.

The court ordered him to provide two responsible Gambian sureties who are employed or engaged in business and earn less than D100,000 a month. Each surety must provide a title deed valued at D28 million, along with valid original identification documents, contact information, and a verifiable physical address.

The sureties must also swear affidavits of means and undertake to ensure Mr. Bajo’s attendance at all subsequent court proceedings. They would risk forfeiting the bail bond if he absconds or fails to appear in court.

The case was adjourned until Sept. 2, 2026, at 11 a.m., when prosecutors are expected to begin presenting evidence.