In the wake of the highly publicized  alleged murder case involving Abdul Kpaka, prominent human rights lawyer Alfred Kamanda has called for public restraint in making statements regarding the ongoing trial. The lawyer emphasized the importance of allowing the judicial process to proceed without undue influence from public commentary.

Kpaka, who has been charged with the murder of Sia Fatmata Kamara, is set to make his first court appearance on September 28, 2024, with a subsequent appearance scheduled for September 4, 2024. The case has sparked widespread outrage following the revelation of harrowing details from a postmortem examination, which indicated that Kamara suffered severe injuries, including broken ribs and a damaged spinal cord.

Lawyer Kamanda underscored that the case is now “sub judice,” a legal term meaning “under judgment,” and as such, public discussions about it could interfere with the administration of justice. “It is generally considered inappropriate to comment publicly on cases sub judice, which can be an offence in itself, leading to contempt of court proceedings. This is particularly true in criminal cases, where publicly discussing cases sub judice may constitute interference with due process,” Kamanda stated.

The lawyer’s appeal comes at a time when public interest in the case is high, with many seeking justice for Sia Fatmata Kamara.

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However, Kamanda cautioned that any premature public commentary could potentially influence the trial’s outcome and undermine the integrity of the judicial process.