The ongoing murder trial of Abdul Kpaka has captured widespread public attention as proceedings at Sierra Leone’s High Court, overseen by Justice Momoh Jah Stevens, reveal new details.
Kpaka has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and perverting the course of justice, as witnesses provide critical insights into the circumstances surrounding the death of Sia Kamara.
The trial opened with Kpaka’s formal arraignment, facing charges under the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, recently updated by the 2022 Abolition of the Death Penalty Act.
Justice Stevens announced that the trial would proceed fairly and impartially, denying bail due to the gravity of the accusations.
A key prosecution witness, Sylvester Patrick Kamara, testified about discovering the body of his relative, Sia Kamara, and noted visible injuries at Virtue’s Funeral Home, describing cuts, bruises, and swelling. His account raised suspicions that led law enforcement to investigate, though the defence contested his evidence, particularly regarding photographs he took, which were later accepted by the court.
Christian Martin Kamara, another relative, supported the prosecution’s case by describing the family’s effort to report the incident to authorities and his interactions with the accused. During cross-examination, the defence questioned his observations, aiming to cast doubt on his knowledge of the injuries and his relationship with Kpaka.
The court also heard from Princess Wilson, the manager at Virtue’s Funeral Home. She testified about the deceased’s condition upon arrival and described the accused’s apparent distress. The defence challenged her testimony, focusing on procedural issues surrounding photographs she had taken, which the court allowed as evidence.
Saminatu Tarawalie, a nurse at the Emergency Surgical Center, shared her experience on the morning of August 13, 2024. She recalled Kpaka arriving with the deceased, who she described as “helpless,” showing signs of injuries, including cuts on the lip and bloodstains. During cross-examination, the defence questioned her observations and transportation protocols, as she noted only Kpaka and the deceased in the car.
Muretta Mariatu Kamara, a senior nurse with 13 years of experience, also testified, recounting the hospital team’s resuscitation efforts, which lasted 20–25 minutes and involved medications like adrenaline and naloxone.
Despite their efforts, the deceased was declared clinically dead upon arrival. Kamara mentioned that Kpaka explained the deceased had fallen, and she advised him to inform the family, as the hospital lacked mortuary facilities. The defence scrutinized her account, suggesting CPR might have contributed to the injuries.
Dr. Herbert Kallon, a surgeon involved in the resuscitation attempt, confirmed that the deceased arrived clinically dead, with no pulse or respiratory function. He detailed their unsuccessful attempts, noting potential side effects of CPR, such as rib fractures, which the defence argued could complicate the cause of injuries.
While the defence has repeatedly applied for bail, citing Kpaka’s commitment to cooperating, the court has refused, given the severity of the charges. As the trial proceeds, more testimonies are anticipated in the coming days.
