By Janet A. Sesay
Justice Alfred T. Ganda of the High Court at Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown has reserved his ruling on the bail application for Abdul Kpaka who stands indicted for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Sia Fatu Kamara.
During proceedings on last Friday, the court was asked by the Defense to issue a decision on a bail application first submitted four months ago, underscoring the delays in the high-profile case.
Justice Ganda, who is presiding over the trial, informed the court that he will deliver “a ruling in due course” on the defendant’s request for release from custody.
The proceeding was marked by another request for an adjournment by the Lead State Prosecutor, Yusuf Isaac Sesay, requested more time and citing the unavailability of the Prosecution’s next witness.
The delay in this trial exemplifies the pattern of procedural setbacks that have plagued the case since it was moved to the High Court. Previous reports indicate that the trial has witnessed significant delays, with the Defense Counsel, Emmanuel Teddy Koroma Esq. previously applying to dismiss the case due to repeated failures by the prosecution to appear or present witnesses.
Abdul Kpaka faces a two-count indictment: murder and perverting the course of justice, related to the death of Sia Fatu Kamara in August 2024.
He has been held on remand since his arrest, with previous judicial rulings denying bail due to the severity of the charges. The case has attracted intense public interest, fueled by harrowing testimony from the victim’s family and serious allegations of domestic abuse that emerged earlier in the trial.
The defense has been aggressively pursuing bail, arguing that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty and citing the prolonged period Kpaka has spent in custody. The judge, however, has continually postponed a decision on the matter adjourned to Wednesday November 12, 2025.