Samoan Rapper “Zipso” also known as Sipili Nanai refused to change legal counsel after Chief Justice Patu Tiavasue Falefatu Sapolu informed him that Maiava Visekota Peteru is under an interim suspension.
Sipili is being charged with grievous bodily harm after an incident last year where he was accused of using a machete to assault a male at Solosolo.
Nanai was initially charged with attempted murder in connection to the alleged incident which landed the vitim in hospital last August.
A Samoa Global News source who does not want to be named says the victim involved had a laceration on the head and lost two fingers as a result of the incident.
Nanai pleaded guilty to an amendment charge of causing grievous bodily harm and was set for sentence before Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren on the 10th of April, however he did not appear so a warrant of arrest was issued.
In Court this week, Chief Justice Patu informed Nanai of the situation that his lawyer was in.
“Ou te leiloa poo ua e silafia le tulaga lea e iai le tamaitai loia lea o Maiava Visekota Peteru lea ua le mafai ona tulai mo oe i le taimi nei.
“Ae i le iloa e le faamasinoga, e iai le isi loia la e iai i le ofisa lea ae pule oe pe ete manao e tulai le loia lena mo oe pe saili sesi loia.”
Nanai told the Court that he wanted to remain with Maiava and that he had already paid his lawyer.
“Lau afioga ua uma na totogi le seleni ia Maiava.”
Chief Justice Patu then adjourned the matter to next week Monday.
“O le a tolopo la le mataupu lenei i le vaiaso lea ae sei tuu atu le avanoa lenei e te toe mafaufau ai pe e te malie i lesi loia lea e faigaluega ma Maiava e tulai mo oe i le mataupu lenei, pe saili seisi loia ae toe talosaga e toe faafoi atu le seleni.”
