The murder trial of Abdul Kpaka continued this week with compelling testimony from Christian Martin Kamara, a relative of the deceased, Sia. Kamara’s account revealed significant skepticism about the initial claim that Sia had died of a heart attack, casting doubt on the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to AWOKO Newspaper, On August 13, 2024, Kamara received a series of distressing calls from his younger brother, Raymond Bami Coker, and other family members, informing him of Sia’s sudden passing. After gathering the details, he immediately traveled to her residence in Metchem, Goderich, arriving around 3:00 PM. Upon his arrival, Kamara learned that the family was preparing to transfer Sia’s body to Virtues Funeral Home in Kingtom.

Together with family members, including Abdul Kpaka, Kamara helped transport the body to the funeral home. Once there, Princess Wilson, the manager of the funeral home, explained the procedures for handling the corpse, which involved unwrapping it for a physical examination to check for valuable items. Wilson also took photographs of the body as part of the documentation process.

Kamara described the emotional moment when Sia’s body was unwrapped. “My Lord, when Wilson unwrapped her corpse, it was so devastating. I saw a cut on her upper lip, a blood stain on her lower lip, a red mark on her temple, a swollen lower jaw, bruises on her right chest, and knees. Upon seeing that, I started crying,” he recounted tearfully.

This discovery led Kamara and his brother Sylvester to take their own photographs of Sia’s injuries. Stepping outside the funeral home, they discussed their findings and concluded that the visible marks and bruises contradicted the initial claim of a heart attack as the cause of death. Their concern grew, prompting them to report their observations to the Central Police Station. However, they were directed to the Adonkia Police Station, where the incident had occurred.

After notifying other family members of their intentions, Kamara and his brother returned to the funeral home before heading to the Adonkia Police Station to formally report the case. This led to the arrest of Abdul Kpaka, who was taken into custody for further investigation. Kamara continued to cooperate with the police after the case was transferred to the Lumley Police Station on August 14.

During cross-examination, defense counsel Emmanuel Teddy Koroma challenged Kamara’s statements, but Kamara remained firm in his belief that the circumstances surrounding Sia’s death were suspicious. He emphasized that the injuries observed on her body did not align with a natural cause of death.

The trial has been adjourned until Friday, October 18, 2024, by Justice Stevens. Kpaka remains in custody at the Male Correctional Center on Pademba Road as the investigation continues to unravel the truth behind Sia’s tragic demise.