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The defence team of Abdul Kpaka on Tuesday, 25 February 2026, appeared before Justice Alfred Ganda in readiness to outline their line of action after the prosecution closed its case two weeks ago.
During proceedings, defence counsel made three key applications before the court.
First, the defence requested that the mobile phone of the accused, which has been in police custody since his arrest in August 2024, be returned. Counsel argued that the device contains messages and chats that may be relied upon in establishing the defence. Lawyer E.T. Koroma submitted that since the prosecution did not tender the phone as evidence during its case, it indicated that they were not relying on its contents, and therefore the device should be released to the accused.
Secondly, the defence applied for copies of all photographs taken by the scene-of-crime officer during the autopsy procedure.
Thirdly, counsel sought an order compelling the management of Emergency Hospital to produce CCTV footage recorded on Tuesday, 13 August 2024, between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The defence maintained that the footage would capture the period when the deceased, identified as Sia, was taken to the hospital by Abdul Kpaka and later removed after being declared dead.
Lead prosecutor Yusuif Isaac Sesay objected to the applications, describing them as premature. He argued that the defence ought first to indicate how it intended to proceed before making such requests.
After hearing both sides, Justice Ganda ruled in favour of the prosecution and declined the defence applications at that stage.
Following the ruling, the court invited the accused to state how he intended to conduct his defence. Abdul Kpaka informed the court that he would testify on oath, call witnesses, and produce evidence where necessary.
The decision effectively put to rest expectations among some members of the public that the defence might file a “no case submission,” as the trial now proceeds to the defence stage.
