Apia, SAMOA — A notorious prison inmate in Samoa, Uli Manuleleua has had his Supreme Court case deferred after three police witnesses were unable to attend court.

Uli Manuleleua allegedly escaped from prison with four other inmates just before Christmas last year by walking out of the high security wing of Tafa'igata Prison.

Two inmates were apprehended the same day and a third was caught in early February.

Manuleleua was handed to authorities by family members in April this year and police reported they found marijuana leaves on him.

He now faces charges of escaping from prison and possession of a banned substance and will make a second appearance next month.