The Supreme Court has cleared the incumbent Member of Parliament for Falealili 2, Minister of Agriculture, Hon Fuimaono Maiava Tito Asafo, of all bribery allegations brought against him by HRPP election candidate, Fuimaono Maria Meredith.
In reading the decision Senior Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson said the two incidents of bribery alleged by the petitioner, afioga Fuimaono Maria Meredith, could not be proven “beyond reasonable doubt.”
“The petition is dismissed, the respondent therefore remains a purely elected representative of the Falealili 2 electoral constituency.”
However, the Court found the petitioner, Fuimaono Maria Tuatagaloa Meredith, guilty of six allegations of bribery during the general election.
A Counter Petition by the Minister of Agriculture presented 9 allegations against Fuimaono Maria. Six were proven while three were dismissed by the Court.
“Allegations 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9 are proven beyond reasonable doubt and we will report this to the Speaker as we are required to do so by the Law,” said Justice Nelson.
“For allegations 4 and 7 no evidence were offered in and these are dismissed,” said Justice Nelson. “While allegation number 8 was not proven beyond reasonable doubt and likewise that is dismissed by the Court.”
Justice Nelson also ruled against the petitioner in terms of Costs.
“The petitioner’s deposit is to be forfeit as court costs..
“The Respondent’s deposit for the counter petition is to be refunded and the petitioner is ordered to pay a further $3,000 as her contribution towards the respondent’s cost.”
The ruling by the Supreme Court against Fuimaono Maria Meredith also stated that she is disqualified from running in future elections for a period of 10 years or two electoral terms.
This ruling, issued last Friday, concludes the electoral dispute for the Falealili No. 2 constituency that arose after the August 2025 general election.
A similar decision was delivered by the Courts last Friday, where the original Petitioner was found guilty of bribery through a successful Counter Petition, while the Respondent is exonerated.
Nine allegations of bribery against former MP for Faasaleleaga, Magele Sekati Fiaui were proven beyond reasonable doubt before the Supreme Court of Samoa in a decision delivered by Justice Leutele Niava Mata Tuatagaloa and Justice Loau Donald Kerslake last Friday afternoon.
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