In an emotionally charged session at the High Court in Freetown, Christiana Kumba Theresa Kamara, younger sister to the late Sia Fatu Kamara, shared poignant details of her sister’s life and tragic demise.
Christiana testified that Sia had been in good health when she left home on the night of August 12, 2024, to visit her boyfriend, Abdul Kpaka, who now stands accused of her murder.
While giving testimony before Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens, Christiana confirmed that she and her sister had been living together. She described Sia as lively and strong before her untimely death.
The defense counsel quickly objected to Christiana’s statement on her sister’s health, arguing that only a medical expert could make such assertions. However, the state counsel, Y.I. Sesay, argued that Christiana’s testimony was based on personal experience, as they had lived together for years.
Justice Stevens ruled in favor of the state, stating that the court was focused on the cause of Sia’s death rather than her health history.
As the trial proceeded, Christiana revealed that Sia had been in an eight-year-long, abusive relationship with Kpaka. She testified that Kpaka frequently assaulted her sister during disputes.
On the night of August 12, Sia left home to stay at Kpaka’s residence. She was carrying her computer and clothes for the next day’s work and did not report any health concerns to Christiana before leaving.
The next morning, Christiana received a phone call from Kpaka, asking her to meet him at the Emergency Hospital. He did not explain why, leaving Christiana anxious. Upon arriving at the hospital, she was told that the doctors were working to revive her sister. As Kpaka and his family wept, Christiana began praying, fearing the worst.
Shortly after, she overheard a nurse saying that Sia had passed away. Despite her disbelief, Christiana demanded to see her sister, but hospital staff declined, informing her that they needed a vehicle to transport Sia’s body. Later, Sia’s body, wrapped from head to toe, was taken to the mortuary.
Christiana recalled noticing a cut on her sister’s upper lip and bloodstains on her lower lip when she saw the body at home. Despite prayers from family members and friends, Sia remained unresponsive.
Under cross-examination, Christiana admitted that Sia had once experienced difficulty breathing after heavy work but emphasized that her sister had been healthy before her death.
Her prior statement to the police, which included this detail, was admitted into evidence as part of the court record.
The accused, Abdul Kpaka, faces charges of murder and perverting the course of justice. The indictment alleges that Kpaka killed Sia Fatu Kamara on August 13, 2024, in Mambo, Freetown, and later fabricated evidence in an attempt to obstruct justice.
The case has been adjourned to October 3, 2024, for further proceedings.
