Thursday 12 August Apia Samoa. His Honour the Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese and Justice Tologata Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren conducted a site visit to Aele-Fou on Wednesday morning.
The Supreme Court justices were taken by police escort to locations in Aele Fou that were specifically mentioned in witness evidence relating to the election petition of Papalii Tavita Moala and former Education Minister Loau Keneti Sio.
Papalii Moala’s lawyer Leiataualesa Komisi Koria said the purpose of the visit was for the CJ and Justice Tologata Tafaoimalo to clarify contradicting evidence presented by witnesses, about some of the houses and locations at Aele-Fou.
The Methodist Church Hall of Aele-Fou and a house not far from the church were both subjects of the visit.
Counsels presented their closing arguments after the site visit to end a week-long hearing before the Supreme Court. The case between Loau and Papalii is the very last of the 28 electoral petitions filed after Samoa’s April 9 general elections.
Loau faces 5 charges of bribery while Papalii faces three in relation to the FAST roadshow.
Their Honours have reserved their decision, expected sometime next week.
The case is also one of the final three with pending decisions. The case against winning MP for Falealili, Fuimaono Teo Samuelu Atiifale as well as the case of Aiono Afaese Toleafoa of Aana Alofi will be delivered before the end of this week.
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