Case Against Lawyer Returns to Court after Failed Negotiations

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2016
Tagaloatele Poloa and Tuisa Tasi Patea. Photos: candidate campaign images.

The Sagaga 4 Constituency election petition lodged by the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) candidate, Tagaloatele Poloa will proceed this week before the Supreme Court.

There was an agreement from both parties when the case was first called two weeks ago, that Tuisa would resign and Sagaga No4 would return to a by-election and re-match.

However when the matter was recalled last week Tagaloatele declared through his lawyer Alex Su’a, that he no longer wished to withdraw his petition against Tuisa, and wanted the case to proceed.

Election Results Sagaga 4

The Sagaga 4 constituency that consists of the villages of Levi, Lotoso’a, Nono’a, Salepoua’e, Fatitu, Utualii and Tufulele had voted 851 to 579 for Tuisa, a lawyer by profession who had previously represented the Constituency.

There was a war of words between Tuisa and one of the high chiefs of Saleimoa, Luatua Semi Epati after the first mention of the case two weeks ago. Tensions were high oitside Court while Luatua was addressing the Itumalo that whatever happens in Court should stay in Court and called for forgiveness and reconciliation between the two parties.

While Luatua was talking and said, “Tatou fo’i i fanua e malu ai tulaga tau i lo tatou itumalo ma le va nonofo ai.”

That’s where Tuisa jumped in and said, “E malu i le a? E malu i le a? Sili pe a tu’u..”

The agreement from both parties when the case was first called was that Tuisa would resign and Sagaga No4 would return to a by-election and re-match. 

However the case will now proceed Tuesday 20th July before Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese and Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma


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