By Foday Moriba Conteh

The murder trial of Abdul Kpaka took a different dimension on Wednesday, 17th June 2026, at the Freetown High Court before Justice Alfred Ganda as the defense continued presenting its case and introduced email messages that it said revealed the deceased's longstanding heart and breathing complications.

The defense continued leading its first witness, Abdul Kpaka, the defendant in the matter. After it was brought to the attention of the court that the High Court ICT expert, who had previously testified following an interposing procedure, was absent, Justice Ganda directed that Kpaka proceed with his testimony in chief to ensure progress in the trial.

Kpaka took the witness stand and was led in evidence by his lawyer, E.T. Koroma.

During the proceedings, the defense attempted to tender Kpaka's mobile phone into evidence. However, State Counsel Yusuif Isaac Sesay objected, arguing that the only fit and proper person to tender both the deceased's and the defendant's phones was the court's ICT expert. He maintained that the defense had earlier stated that it was the ICT expert who assisted them in retrieving the electronic exhibits already admitted into evidence and marked LL1 to LL45.

Justice Ganda upheld the prosecution's objection and instructed defense counsel to proceed with the case and reserve the phone for the ICT expert's testimony.

Following the ruling, Kpaka, under the direction of his lawyer, read portions of the 45-page booklet already admitted into evidence. The messages, according to the defense, revealed that the deceased had suffered from heart-related and other health complications over several years.

A message on page 5, dated 12th July 2019, reads:

"I can't sleep, I can't breath properly Kpaka"

Another message on page 23, dated 5th November 2020, states:

"I took the medicine they gave me, my head keeps spinning, and I am weak."

Page 22, also dated 5th November 2020, reads:

" I have been really sick, my BP was super high, I spent the entire day at the hospital yesterday, please Kpaka forgive me, I am loosing my mind, I just want to talk oh."

Another message on page 14, dated 28th March 2020, states:

"I threw up everything, this drug is killing me, my body is weak, sorry for me mum, don't wanna get her involved and stress her, knowing my health problem. Na people country r dae, I don't want to be dead here. My eyes hurt, been crying since Kpaka. M sorry."

On page 10, dated 6th October 2019, the message reads:

"I need to go to the hospital, I don't have money and can't walk either. Pls save me."

Page 7, dated 16th July 2019, reads:

" my mother is so disappointed at me, and is deeply sorry for everything, all I ask is this one chance. I want to make it up to my mum and you. Pls find it in your heart to forgive me Bae. I am sorry, unblock me."

The defense also read several messages describing the nature of the relationship between the deceased and the defendant.

Page 36, dated 17th February 2022, reads:

"you inspire me, I do admire you a lot, I want life with you Bbe, I want children with you, I want a happy family with you. I want to wake up close to you every day. I want to keep telling you how sweet you smell. I am begging you like my life depends on it. Pls forgive me for this last mistake. Please, Bb."

Page 20, dated 20th November 2020, reads:

"Even though I know I am blocked but I have kept on checking Kpaka. I will still continue checking. The Kpaka I know hate seeing me sad, and I hate seeing him sad too. Yes, I have my option, but I have never been this long mad at you. It breaks my heart to know you stay this mad at me. I am out of words, I swear. "

Page 35, dated 17th February 2022, reads:

"you are the best, and loosing you will be me loosing my whole life. I love you so much that I want to spend every last breath of my time with you. I know I messed up severally, but I am only human, so please find it in your heart to forgive me, I need this final chance, ABD, you wont regret it. I promise to hold on to it as if my life depends on it. Life is way too complicated without you. My life is worthless without you ABD, I love you papa, bear and sorry for bringing the trust issues but I didn't do or date him. I don't need another man, I have a perfect man. My joy, sadness, and happiness. The only man that I am 💯 comfortable with. You are my whole life Abd, and I am truly sorry. Kindly take me back this final chance. Do for God our creator."

Page 43, dated 31st March 2024, reads:

" I know me saying sorry all the time don make you ganze, cous I can't be saying sorry n not working on my action. But be rest assured that I hate seeing me like this, useless, n that hurting you will not be intentional. My attitude stinks, that I knw n not proud of. But Abd U knw that it will take time or years to make me a better version, and I am trying to be better. Don't give up on us now. Pls Papa."

The messages presented in court referred to the deceased's reported heart and breathing difficulties while also portraying a relationship marked by repeated disagreements. According to the messages read, the deceased frequently appealed to Kpaka for forgiveness after being blocked on WhatsApp and other communication platforms.

The messages further showed the deceased expressing deep affection and confidence in the defendant, describing him in one message as her "perfect man." In several instances, she pleaded to be forgiven and unblocked and, according to the evidence read in court, even involved her mother and father in efforts to reconcile with Kpaka.

Although many of the messages expressed love and affection, the court heard that Kpaka rarely responded.

During the reading of the messages, State Counsel Yusuif Isaac Sesay raised concerns over certain pages of the exhibits. He questioned the differences in font sizes and the formatting of dates, arguing that some of the messages did not display clear or proper dates.

Justice Ganda acknowledged the concerns raised by the prosecution and stated that the court's ICT experts would address those issues when they appear to present the phones and the active email records before the court.

After approximately 40 pages of the 45-page exhibit had been read into the record, the court adjourned the matter.

The trial is expected to resume on Wednesday, 8th July 2026. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/email-evidence-reveals-deceaseds-alleged-heart-complications-in-abdul-kpaka-murder-trial/