Inspector Nanai Vani Vai, suspended with Luani To’alepai in the alleged leaking of information to drug suspects, is to be reinstated to the police force this coming Monday 18 May. Nanai was suspended with three others pending investigations into leaked information during police drug raid operations.
At the time of Nanai’s suspension, the Prime Minister and Minister of Police said two Officers were being investigated after it was discovered that a mobile phone belonging to a suspect, contained classified police information.
Nanai had maintained his innocence, denying the allegations against him, and even claimed it was a conspiracy theory against him.
Radio Samoa presenter Lilomaiava Maina Vai, married to Nanai had announced Nanai’s suspension on social media at the time. “Im picking up my husband….today he is suspended from the Ministry of Police due to allegations of leaking a search warrant to the drug dealers,” posted Lilomaiava.
When asked two weeks ago the Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga told media the investigation conducted against Nanai Vani Vai and Luani To’alepai in the alleged leaking of information to drug suspects was completed, but the report had been referred to the Attorney General for review.
In a memo dated 15 May 2026 the Police Commissioner directs the Human Resources and other support services to prepare and process all necessary documentation and administrative requirements for Nanai’s reinstatement.
Nanai had been senior inspector with the Tactical Operation Section known as TOS and in the past few years he headed former Prime Minister, Hon Fiame Naomi Mata’afa’s security detail.
However, Nanai will be transferred from TOS to General Policing upon his reinstatement.
“Upon reinstatement Inspector Vani Vai shall be transferred from the Tactical Operation Section (TOS) to General Policing on a temporary basis until further notice and is to report directly to the Officer In Charge of General Policing.”
Section 52(3) of the Samoa Police Service Act 2009 deals with officers being reinstated:
“A member who is suspended from duty under this section:
(a) may at any time be reinstated in the Service, in his or her old position or any other, by the authority who suspended him or her; and
(b) is entitled to receive one month’s salary, allowance or other remuneration effective from the date of suspension.”
It is unclear how the allegations against the Inspector had come about. At the time it was alleged that a leaked search warrant had been received by suspects before drug raids.
Two More Weeks!
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- Three Employees of the Ministry of Police Test Positive for Drugs - August 18, 2026
