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FROM “BARROW MUST GO” TO “BARROW MUST STAY” – EBRIMA FATTY MAKES QUICK TWIST, LEAVES UNITE FOR NPP

HAJJ DREAM TURNED TO HEARTBREAK: “I FELT LIKE DYING,” WITNESS TELLS COURT

By Lamin M Ceesay

The second prosecution witness in the ongoing Ejabah Travel and Tours Hajj fraud case told the court that he felt like dying and was deeply embarrassed after realising that his dream of performing the Hajj pilgrimage had collapsed.

Ebrima Camara, a businessman and resident of Tallinding, gave the emotional testimony before the court as the trial against the accused person continued.

Camara told the court that his children sent him money to enable him to perform Hajj.

According to him, he initially contacted Lamin Jobarteh of GIA, but was informed that there were no available slots.

He said Jobarteh told him that he knew the accused person and that he facilitated Hajj travel for people.

Camara said he obtainedthe accused person’s telephone number and contacted him.

“He told me he had three slots left and asked me to come to his office,” the witness testified.

Camara told the court that he later went to the accused person’s office and made arrangements to pay for the Hajj package.

He said the total cost was D600, 000.
According to the witness, he paid D585,000 directly and was asked to send the remaining D15,000 through Wave.

Camara said he raised concerns that charges from the mobile money transaction would reduce the amount received.

However, he said the accused assured him that he would take responsibility for the difference.

The witness told the court that he was issued two receipts —one for D585,000 and another for D15,000—bringing the total payment to D600,000.

He said he was subsequently told to go home and wait for further communication.

Camara testified that as the time for Hajj approached, the accused informed him that a woman identified as Jainaba Jobe would be responsible for their medical matters and arrangements.

He said he was contacted through a WhatsApp group and asked to meet in Kanifing.

According to Camara, they were each to pay D1,500 for a medical certificate.

He said he asked whether a receipt would be issued for the payment but was allegedly told that there were no receipts.

The witness said he subsequently underwent a medical check-up and was asked to return for further procedures, including an injection.

He further testified that intending pilgrims were called for training and lectures on what they were expected to do during the pilgrimage.

Camara said the accused later gave them a date for their departure, which he recalled was a Monday, although he could not remember the exact date.

He told the court that while preparations were ongoing, he saw a message in the WhatsApp group informing members that the accused person had been arrested and was at the Kairaba Police Station.

Asked whether he eventually performed Hajj, Camara answered: “No, I did not.”

When asked why he did not travel, the witness said he did not know why he was unable to go for the pilgrimage.

The court then asked Camara how he felt when he realised that he would no longer be travelling for Hajj.

The witness became emotional as he described the impact of the failed pilgrimage.

“I was embarrassed not only in the Gambia but even abroad. I felt like dying. I left my place and my people escorted me to the Kombos,” Camara told the court.

He further told the court that the situation affected him deeply during the Eid celebrations.

“I did not enjoy the Eid,” he said emotionally.

Camara also confirmed that, despite the developments, he had not received a refund for the money he paid.

The witness was also questioned about the travel documents arranged for him.

Camara said he went to the accused person’s office with his Gambian passport, which had expired.

According to him, he informed the accused that the passport was no longer valid and was assured that another passport would be arranged.

He said he asked whether he would have to travel to Guinea Bissau for the processing of the passport.

However, he was allegedly told that he would not need to travel there and that the accused would handle the process.

Camara said a passport was later sent to him through WhatsApp by Jainaba Jobe.

He told the court that he only had a photograph of the passport.

During cross-examination, defence counsel questioned Camara about how he came into contact with the accused.

Camara confirmed that Lamin Jobarteh referred him to the accused person.

He also agreed that he believed the accused could assist him in travelling for Hajj, which was why he paid the money.

The defence further put it to him that the accused provided him with a passport.

Camara agreed, starting that the passport contained his photograph, name and date of birth.

When the document was shown to him, the witness confirmed that the details belonged to him.

Counsel asked Camara whether the accused had informed members of the WhatsApp group that 53 passports had been issued.

Camara said he remembered the information but maintained that he was not among the 53 people. “I am not part of the list sentto the group,” he said.

The defence further questioned the witness about the Hajj lectures and preparations attended by the intending pilgrims.

Counsel suggested that Camara’s participation in those preparations showed that he was among the group being prepared for pilgrimage.

The matter was adjourned to September 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.

ENERGY AND NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION

The Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines has announced new retail pump prices, effective immediately:

🇬🇲Petrol: D109.80 per litre
🇬🇲Diesel: D120.00 per litre
🇬🇲Kerosene: D112.64 per litre
These changes will affect households, drivers and businesses across the country.

Expanding access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy remains essential for national transformation. It powers growth, jobs, modern public services and long‑term development.

No more excuses. No more delays.



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