By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown, January 26, 2026: A fisherman, Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya, on Monday made his first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown, charged with store breaking and larceny at the Cape Sierra Hotel in Aberdeen.
Dumbuya is accused of unlawfully breaking into the hotel’s store on December 29, 2025, and stealing assorted items valued at Le29,900, property of Shashi Prakash Singh, Managing Director of the hotel. According to the indictment, the stolen items included three mattresses worth Le3,000, three electric fans valued at Le900, twelve concrete metal curb frames worth Le24,000, and two metal beds valued at Le2,000.
Charged under Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916, the defendant told the court he is a fisherman based in Guinea who had come to Sierra Leone on holiday. He claimed he was misled by a friend who asked him to escort him to the hotel, allegedly under the pretense of working there. Dumbuya said he stood by the door while his friend handed him items to place outside, but was apprehended as his companion escaped through a window.
The defendant added that he has no relatives in Sierra Leone and that his boss, who brought him into the country, has since returned to Guinea. The matter is being prosecuted by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh.