By Mohamed Lamin Banya
The murder trial of Abdul Kpaka saw a major development on Wednesday, 11th March 2026, as he testified for the first time since his arrest in August 2024.
The hearing took place at the High Court in Freetown before Justice Alfred Ganda.
Kpaka’s lead defence lawyer, E.T. Koroma, told the court that attempts to obtain CCTV footage from the Emergency Hospital were unsuccessful.
The hospital explained that its system automatically deletes recordings after 30 to 90 days. E.T. Koroma said the footage could have provided important information about the deceased, Sia, and the circumstances surrounding her death.
The court also heard that efforts to retrieve Kpaka’s phone, which may contain key evidence, have so far been unsuccessful. The defence lawyer promised to continue trying before the next hearing.
Taking the stand, Abdul Kpaka described himself as a peace and human rights activist, businessman, part-time lecturer, and politician.
He gave a detailed account of his last interactions with Sia, explaining that they spent Sunday, 11th August 2024, together, and that he dropped her off the following day for work and to pay for a plane
ticket. He said he later picked her up with a staff member and returned to his residence.
Kpaka recounted that Sia complained of heart and breathing problems. On the morning of 13th August, he found her collapsed in the bathroom.
“I rushed to assist her, laid her on the bed, and tried to help her breathe,” he told the court, saying he performed chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation before taking her to the hospital.
He said that despite efforts by medical staff, Sia was pronounced dead. He informed her younger sister, and the body was later moved to the family home for prayers before being taken to a funeral home in Kingtom.
Kpaka said family suspicion led to his arrest, but he cooperated with police and handed over phones. He repeatedly denied killing Sia, insisting he tried to save her.
The court adjourned the case to Wednesday, 25th March 2026, for Kpaka to continue his testimony and for cross-examination.
