Court Postpones Abdul Kpaka’s Murder Trial Over Judiciary IT Technical Disruption

The murder trial of Abdul Kpaka was reportedly adjourned after technical challenges within the Judiciary’s IT Department disrupted the continuity of the proceedings, prompting renewed calls from the defence for a speedy trial.

State Counsel, Yusuf Isaac Sesay, applied for an adjournment, explaining to the court that persistent technological problems made it impossible for the prosecution to proceed as planned. He told the court that despite several efforts by the Judiciary’s IT team, the prosecution was frustrated at the last minute after it emerged that the location for the virtual hearing was the major challenge.

Sesay informed the court that Prosecution Witness No. 10, Dr. Herbert Kallon, was scheduled to testify but is currently outside the jurisdiction of Sierra Leone. He emphasized that the witness remains on standby and is ready to testify at any time, stressing that Dr. Kallon’s evidence is “very crucial to the development of the matter.”

Counsel for the State appealed to the indulgence of the court to help expedite the process and ensure that the witness is enabled to testify. He further requested an adjournment and canvassed the court’s assistance to ensure that the technical issues are resolved before the next hearing date.

Responding to the application, defence counsel E. T. Koroma expressed condolences to the State over the technical difficulties. However, he argued that since the prosecution had other witnesses available, the matter should have proceeded instead of delaying the trial.

Koroma told the court that his client’s liberty is at stake and maintained that, in the interest of justice, the case should move forward whenever an adjournment is granted. He concluded his submission by applying for bail on behalf of the accused, reminding the court that Abdul Kpaka has been in custody since the inception of the case.

The defence counsel assured the court that the accused would be available whenever required and added that reliable sureties are prepared to stand for him and meet all bail conditions set by the court.

In his ruling, Justice Ganda refused the bail application and adjourned the matter to January 21, 2026.

Abdul Kpaka is standing trial on two counts of murder and perverting the course of justice in connection with the death of Sia Fatu Kamara.