Labourer Remanded for Allegedly Damaging Graves and Attempted Theft at Kingtom Cemetery

A labourer has been remanded in custody after appearing before a Freetown magistrate on charges of allegedly maliciously damaging four vault graves at Kingtom Cemetery with intent to steal.

The accused, Abubakarr Dumbuya, a labourer, made his first appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown. He is charged with malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act of 1861.

According to the particulars of offence, on Monday, 6th April 2026, at Kingtom Cemetery in the Western Area of Freetown, Dumbuya allegedly maliciously damaged four vault graves with the intent to steal.

Court documents indicate that each vault was valued at three thousand five hundred New Leones (NLe 3,500), bringing the total estimated value to fourteen thousand New Leones (NLe 14,000), property of the Freetown City Council.

When the charge was read and explained to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor, Inspector Mabel M. Trawallie, informed the court that she had served the defendant with a bundle of witness statements, which he acknowledged receiving.

Magistrate Jah refused bail and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.

The matter was adjourned to 20th April 2026 for further hearing.