Abdul Kpaka former Independent MP Aspirant facing charges related to the murder of his girlfriend, Sia Fatmata Kamara.
Prominent businessman Abdul Kpaka appeared in court today, facing murder charges related to the death of his girlfriend, Sia Fatmata Kamara.
The hearing took place at Pademba Court in Freetown, presided over by Magistrate Santigie Bangura. This marked Kpaka’s first court appearance following his formal charge by the Sierra Leone Police on Monday.
Kpaka is accused of killing Kamara on August 13,
2024, at Peninsula Road in Freetown. During the proceedings, he did not enter a
plea. The charges, which were read out by Deputy Assistant Registrar Hindolo
Kater, are based on Section 1 of the Offenses Against the Person Act of 1861,
covering the crime of murder.
Chief Superintendent of Police Joan Bull, leading
the prosecution, requested a brief adjournment, explaining that they had only
recently received the case file and required time to thoroughly review it.
Defense attorney Emmanuel Teddy Koroma, while
expressing condolences to Kamara’s family, highlighted the necessity of a swift
trial, emphasizing that Kpaka remains innocent until proven otherwise.
The case has garnered substantial public
attention due to the heinous nature of the crime, with Kamara’s postmortem
report revealing severe injuries, including broken ribs and a damaged spinal
cord. This has led to widespread outrage and demands for justice.
The court has adjourned the case until September
4, 2024. In the meantime, Kamara’s funeral is scheduled for September 1, 2024,
at the Charles Davies Memorial United Methodist Church in Lumley. A memorial
service will also be held on August 30 at the Freetown City Council Auditorium.
Kpaka had previously contested the 2023 elections in Sierra Leone as an independent candidate for Member of Parliament, adding another layer of public interest to the case.