16 September Mulinuu Apia Samoa. Three new Lands and Titles Court Judges were inducted in a special ceremony held this afternoon at Mulinuu.
The three new LTC judges are Tofa Leilua Opapo Sonai, Tofa Tuautu Kalepo Tuautu and Susuga Leu Alani Ulia.
Speaking at the induction Acting Chief Justice Naiava Mata Tuatavaloa Keli stressed the crucial role played by the Lands and Titles Court in dealing with sacred cultural and family heritage issues.
“E taua le Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa o Samoa ona o loo tagofia ai measina a aiga, o le afuaaga ma le mafuaaga lea o le soifua o soo se tagata Samoa, o loo afei ma tapui ai le faasinomaga, ma le mitamitaga o le tagata Samoa”.
Reverend Pita Toleafoa in leading the devotional encouraged the newly inducted judges to rely on God. He stressed the impact of the role of an LTC Judge on maintaining peace amongst families, villages, districts and all of Samoa.
“Ia faagagana outou e le Atua ma ia faa Le Atua a outou faaiuga, ma mea e fai, ina ia atagia ai lana faamasinoga amiotonu, ia atagia ai lona mamalu silisiliese ma lona alofa na valaauina ai lo tou soifua ma lo tatou ola, e fua mai lena i le fealofaniga o aiga, o le nofo lelei o nuu, o le maopoopoga o Itumalo, ma le toafilemu o le atunuu”
According to the Ministry’s CEO Moliei Vaai, the induction of the new judges was brought forward after the suspension of three LTC judges last week.
On Thursday last week, the CEO issued a media statement to confirm that Deputy President Sevealii Panapa Vee, Senior Judge Lavea Siaosi Hazelman and Judge Nanai Pologa Ioane were suspended as of Monday 9 September 2019.
(14)
