Defense Seeks WhatsApp Messages as Key Evidence in Abdul Kpaka Murder Case

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has handed over the mobile phone of murder accused Abdul Kpaka to the court as proceedings continue in a high-profile trial before the High Court.

The device, which was previously confiscated by police during investigations, has now been formally submitted as part of the evidence in the case. The development comes as the defense signals its intention to rely on digital communications retrieved from the phone to support its case.

Kpaka is facing a two-count indictment of murder and perverting the course of justice. He is accused of killing Sia Kamara on August 15, 2024.

During the latest court proceedings, defense counsel E.T. Koroma informed the court that messages extracted from the defendant’s phone—particularly WhatsApp and text conversations—are expected to play a central role in their defense. He indicated that the defense intends to present exchanges between the accused and the late Sia Fatu Karama as crucial evidence.

To facilitate this process, the defense requested the court to subpoena the Judiciary’s IT Department to assist in properly extracting and displaying the digital communications from the device, ensuring compliance with legal and technical procedures governing electronic evidence.

Lawyer Emmanuel Teddy Koroma further told the court that the defense had already served the prosecution with a formal notice of their intention to rely on the phone records, stressing the need for strict adherence to evidentiary requirements.

He also applied for an adjournment to allow sufficient time for preparation ahead of the next stage of the proceedings.

Following the submissions from both sides, the court granted the request and adjourned the matter to April 29 for further hearing.

The case continues to attract public attention as it moves through the judicial process, with digital evidence now expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome.