Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Lawyers’ Society has formally expressed concern over repeated delays in the ongoing murder trial of Abdul Kpaka, citing the persistent absence of State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay as a key factor undermining the progress of the case.
In a letter addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Society warned that the stalled proceedings in the High Court are not only affecting the efficiency of the justice system but also infringing on the rights of the accused. Kpaka, who is on trial for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Sia Fatu Kamara, has been in extended detention without significant progress in his case.
“The prolonged absence of the State Prosecutor has led to numerous postponements, resulting in public dissatisfaction and reduced confidence in the legal system’s ability to deliver timely justice,” the letter reads. The Society also warned that continued delays could compromise the reliability of critical evidence, with risks of fading witness memory and loss of documentation.
The group called on the Ministry of Justice to either ensure the consistent presence of Mr. Sesay or appoint an alternate prosecutor to take over the case. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” the letter signed by the Society’s General Secretary, Mrs. Margaret A. L. Davies, maintains.
The letter, which was also copied to the Attorney-General and the general membership of the Lawyers’ Society, concluded with an offer of assistance to help uphold principles of justice and fairness in the matter.
