By Fatima Kpaka
On Thursday, September 26, 2024, the highly anticipated murder trial of Abdul Kpaka began, with Prosecution Witness No. 1, Christiana Kumba Theresa Kamara, delivering a detailed and emotional testimony. Kamara, the younger sister of the deceased, Sia Fatu Kamara, described the harrowing events leading up to her sister’s death. Sia was found with a cut on her upper lip and bloodstains on her lower lip after being rushed to the Emergency Hospital on August 13, 2024.
Led in evidence by State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay, Christiana, a final-year Mechanical Engineering student, testified that her sister Sia had been in a long-term, abusive relationship with the accused, Abdul Kpaka. She revealed that Kpaka had physically and verbally abused her sister during their eight-year relationship.
Christiana recounted the night of August 12, 2024, when Sia left their home with Kpaka, stating she was in high spirits, as she had purchased a ticket to travel to the United States on September 3. The next morning, Christiana received a troubling call from Kpaka, asking her to come to the Emergency Hospital. Upon arrival, she was informed that Sia was fighting for her life. Despite prayers and efforts by family members, Sia was pronounced dead, and her body was eventually taken to the mortuary.
During cross-examination by Defense Counsel Emmanuel Teddy Koroma, the witness confirmed that the deceased had occasionally experienced difficulty breathing after strenuous activity but denied knowledge of any other health issues. The defense questioned whether Sia’s death was caused by an underlying medical condition rather than foul play. Christiana maintained that Sia had no history of severe health problems and that her death had come as a complete shock.
The trial, presided over by Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens, continues with Kpaka facing two charges: murder and perverting the course of justice. The defense argued that no reports of domestic violence had been filed by the deceased, and that Sia appeared happy when leaving to meet the accused on the night of her death. The case was adjourned to October 3, 2024, for further proceedings, with Kpaka remaining in custody.
This trial has captured public attention due to the troubling details of abuse and the mysterious circumstances surrounding Sia Fatu Kamara’s tragic death.