By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – A fisherman, Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya, made his first court appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Monday, 26th January 2026, in connection with an alleged store-breaking incident at the Cape Sierra Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown.
Dumbuya was charged with store breaking and larceny contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916. According to court documents, the accused allegedly broke and entered the hotel store of Shashi Prakash Singh, the hotel manager, on Monday, 29th December 2025, intending to steal.
The particulars of the offence state that Dumbuya allegedly stole:
• Three mattresses valued at Le1,000 each (Le3,000 total)
• Three electric fans valued at Le300 each (Le900 total)
• Twelve concrete metal curb frames valued at Le2,000 each (Le24,000 total)
• Two metal beds valued at Le1,000 each (Le2,000 total)
The total value of the stolen items is Le29,900, all belonging to Shashi Prakash Singh while in his custody at the hotel.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was taken by the defendant.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, representing the prosecution, requested a short adjournment to lead the first witness.
Dumbuya, who was not legally represented, told the court that he is a fisherman based in Guinea and had come to Sierra Leone on holiday with his employer. He claimed he was misled by a friend who asked him to escort him to the hotel, stating that he worked there. Dumbuya said he did not know his friend intended to steal.
He explained that after escorting his friend to the hotel, he stood by the door while his friend handed items to him to place outside the gate. He said he was merely moving the items when he was apprehended, while his friend escaped through a window. He added that he has not seen his friend since the incident and that his employer has returned to Guinea.
Magistrate Fornah remanded the defendant and adjourned the case to 2nd February 2026 for further proceedings.
