For the record
To clear up any doubt on this matter.
As i was invloved with leasing the European B757s in the first phase of the hajj. I can confirm that Air Finland, Aurela and Gadair were not in Cameroon flying for Air Niamey.
These airlines would never exceed their legal payloads.
My contact at Air Niamey tells me the aircraft was a Tri-star.
If that is the case any onions out there will be able to track the aircraft/operator down fairly quickly as there are not so many tri-stars left.