Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya, a fisherman, has been remanded in custody after making his first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown. He faces charges of store breaking and larceny.

Mr. Dumbuya is accused of unlawfully entering a store at the Cape Sierra Hotel in Aberdeen on Monday, 29 December 2025, with the intent to commit a felony. The store reportedly belongs to the hotel manager, Shashi Prakash Singh.

According to the prosecution, the accused broke into the facility and stole several items valued at approximately Le29,900, including:

  • Three mattresses valued at Le1,000 each (Le3,000)
  • Three electric fans valued at Le300 each (Le900)
  • Twelve concrete metal curb frames valued at Le2,000 each (Le24,000)
  • Two metal beds valued at Le1,000 each (Le2,000)

Testifying before the court, Mr. Dumbuya said he is a fisherman based in Guinea and had travelled to Sierra Leone on holiday with his employer. He claimed he was misled by a friend who invited him to the hotel, allegedly stating that he worked there.

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The accused explained that he remained outside the building while his friend went inside and later passed items to him to place outside. He said he was apprehended during this process, while his friend reportedly escaped by jumping through a window. Mr. Dumbuya stated that he has not seen the friend since the incident, has no family in Sierra Leone, and that his employer has since returned to Guinea.

Given the seriousness of the offence, Magistrate Fornah ordered that Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya be remanded at the correctional facility pending further proceedings. The matter has been adjourned to 2 February 2026. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Conteh.