A man identified as Manjang Cham appeared before the Kanifing Court facing 23 counts of indictment involving alleged visa fraud totalling millions of Dalasis.
Appearing before Magistrate A. Manneh, Cham was charged with “Obtaining Money by False Pretence” contrary to Section 265 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Commissioner A. Manga, alleges that Manjang Cham arranged a wide-scale scheme promising unsuspecting victims visas to Canada and Spain.
The alleged crime Manjang Cham is involved in is fraudulent promises to secure Canadian visas for the “Junkanoo Cultural Festival” and a Spanish visa.
According to the particulars of the offence read to him in court, Manjang Cham defrauded 23 people and was charged on 23 counts of obtaining Money by False Pretence under Section 265 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
Count 1: Obtained D600,000 from Lamin Dibba in 2024 by falsely claiming to secure four Canadian visas for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 2: Obtained D250,000 from Yusupha Sanyang in 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 3: Obtained D350,000 from Ba Lamin Jabbi in 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 4: Obtained D100,000 from Abubacarr Bajo on November 19, 2024, for a Spanish visa.
Count 5: Obtained D100,000 from Momodou Lamin Kemo Manneh in 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 6: Obtained D125,000 from Mariama Kanyi in April 2025 for a Spanish visa.
Count 7: Obtained D70,000 from Kajally Hydara between June and July 2025 for a Spanish visa.
Count 8: Obtained D80,000 from Saffiatou Hydara in 2024 for a Spanish visa.
Count 9: Obtained D100,000 from Fatoumata Manneh in April 2024 for a Spanish visa.
Count 10: Obtained D100,000 from Muhammed Sallah between June and July 2025 for a Spanish visa.
Count 11: Obtained D125,000 from Alagie Lamin Cham in 2024 for a Spanish visa.
Count 12: Obtained D263,000 from Mustapha Jarjusey in 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 13: Obtained D22,000 from Dembo Jatta in 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 14: Obtained D11,500 from Talbia Jatta on June 5, 2024, for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 15: Obtained D22,000 from Momodou Jatta between March and April 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 16: Obtained D89,000 from Alagie Pateh Mbaye in 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 17: Obtained D263,000 from Binta Darboe in 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 18: Obtained D526,000 from Mamjarra Jammeh in 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 19: Obtained D75,000 from Mustapha Secka in 2024 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 20: Obtained D25,000 from Lamin Kujabi in 2024 for a Spanish visa.
Count 21: Obtained D25,000 from Lamin Saho in September 2023 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 22: Obtained D165,000 from Haddy Comma in September 2023 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
Count 23: Obtained D270,000 from Abdou Badjie in 2025 for a Canadian visa for the Junkanoo Cultural Festival.
When the charges were read to him, Manjang Cham, who appeared in court without legal representation, pleaded not guilty to all 23 counts.
Following the plea, Commissioner Manga requested a short adjournment to allow the prosecution time to bring witnesses to testify against the accused.
On the issue of bail, Assistant Commissioner Manga left that to the discretion of the court but was quick to draw the attention of the court that the total amount involved in the scam exceeds D3,000,000.00 Dalasis.
In her ruling, Magistrate A. Manneh granted the accused bail, but under strict conditions. The bail was set at 4.2 million Dalasis, which must be secured by a title deed in the name of the accused or a guarantor.
Furthermore, Cham is required to deposit his original identification documents with the court and surrender his passport to the registrar of the court.
The matter was adjourned to 22nd January, 2026, at 12:00 PM for the commencement of the trial.
