Minister waits on Am. Samoa Attorney General

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 08 April 2016, 12:00AM

The Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Fa’aolesa Katopau Ainu’u, is awaiting the outcome of an investigation by the American Samoa Attorney General’s (A.G.) Office into an outstanding warrant of arrest against him in the territory.

Contacted on the telephone yesterday, Fa’aolesa told the Samoa Observer he has not heard anything from the American Samoa A.G yet.

 “I’m waiting for the investigation by the Attorney General’s office (American Samoa),” he said. 

He added that “the matter (where the allegations) originated from has been resolved.” 

“But the warrant is different,” he said. 

Pressed for details, he said: “I’ll call back as I have some people here with me.”

As of press time last night, the Minister had not called again.

But Fa’aolesa was asked for a comment after American Samoa, Talauega Eleasalo Ale, told the Samoa Observer last week that they are looking into the issue.

“This is something that happened before I came into office,” he said.

A copy of the warrant obtained by the Samoa Observer shows that it was issued by the American Samoa Attorney General’s office in 2008, containing a number of allegations. 

It was signed by Associate Justice John L. Ward, during the time of Fepulea’i Arthur Ripley as the Attorney General.

 “I’m not sure of details…it’s been looked at and someone is following it up,” Talauega said. 

He added that an email with questions about the issue from the Samoa Observer has been passed on to “the criminal division to look through it for information.

According to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, the report about the warrant came as a surprise to Minister Faaolesa. 

 “I have spoken with the Minister who is shocked about it,” said Tuilaepa. 

“He said he has contacted his lawyer in American Samoa who is also shocked about it. (From what I’ve been told) the matter had been resolved long time ago but it has been dug up again.”

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 08 April 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>