Fisherman Remanded for Alleged Cape Sierra Hotel Burglary

Fisherman Remanded for Alleged Cape Sierra Hotel Burglary

Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya, a fisherman, has been remanded in custody after appearing before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown. Mr. Dumbuya faces charges of store breaking and larceny concerning an incident at the Cape Sierra Hotel in Aberdeen.

The defendant is accused of unlawfully entering the hotel’s store on Monday, 29th December 2025, with the intention of committing a felony.

According to the case details, Mr. Dumbuya allegedly broke into the store, which belongs to the hotel manager, Shashi Prakash Singh, and stole various items with an approximate value of Le29,900.

The stolen inventory reportedly includes three mattresses, valued at Le1,000 each (totaling Le3,000); three electric fans, valued at Le300 each (totaling Le900); twelve concrete metal curb frames, valued at Le2,000 each (totaling Le24,000); and two metal beds, valued at Le1,000 each (totaling Le2,000).

In his statement to the court, the defendant explained that he is a fisherman based in Guinea and was visiting Sierra Leone on holiday with his employer. He claimed he was misled by a friend who requested he accompany him to the hotel, asserting he was employed there. Mr. Dumbuya maintains he was unaware of any plan to commit theft.

He further testified that after escorting his friend to the hotel, he waited outside while the friend allegedly passed items to him to place outside the building. During this action, he was apprehended, and his friend reportedly escaped by jumping through a window. Mr. Dumbuya stated he has not seen his friend since the incident, has no family in Sierra Leone, and his employer has since returned to Guinea.

Given the gravity of the offence, the court ordered Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya to be held in prison custody pending further proceedings.

The case has been adjourned until 2nd February 2026 and is being prosecuted by Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Conteh.