Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a pivotal development in the ongoing murder trial of Abdul Kpaka, government pathologist Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma testified that 28-year-old Sia Fatu Kamara died from asphyxia due to manual strangulation.
The autopsy findings, presented in Freetown’s High Court, revealed no other contributing factors, solidifying the prosecution’s case against Kpaka, Kamara’s former boyfriend.
Kpaka, 32, faces charges of murder and perverting the course of justice following Kamara’s death in August 2024 at his residence in Goderich, a suburb of Freetown. Authorities allege he attempted to cover up the incident by claiming it was an accident.
The case has sparked widespread public outrage in Sierra Leone, with activists demanding justice for gender-based violence victims.
Previous testimonies have painted a grim picture: Kamara’s brother described breaking down upon seeing her body with a cut lip and blood in her mouth, while a nurse confirmed she arrived at the hospital already deceased.
A police investigator admitted no direct evidence links Kpaka but insisted the circumstantial case is strong.
The trial, presided over by Justice Alfred Ganda after a judicial reassignment in March 2025, has faced delays, including a controversial jury dismissal in November 2025 and a reserved bail ruling. As of February 2026, proceedings continue amid calls for transparency, highlighting systemic issues in Sierra Leone’s justice system.
The next hearing is anticipated soon, with the nation watching closely.
