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Prime Minister to give evidence in King Faipopo trial

Paulo Malele or King Faipopo (in white shirt) who is charged for making false statements against the Prime Minister, with some of his supporters outside court
Source: Talamua Online

APIA, SAMOASamoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi will give evidence in the trial of an Australian based Samoan man who is being charged of making false accusations against him.

Prosecutor Iliganoa Atoa told Talamua that the Prime Minister will be one of seven witnesses she will be calling.

The court hearing of Paulo Malele’s allegations against the Prime Minister has been adjourned next month.

Thursday, District Court Judge, Papalii Rosella Viane adjourned the hearing to next month after considering a new motion filed by defence lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu.

Papalii said the defence pre-trial motion which was discussed in Chambers was that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter because the alleged actions by the defendant were done outside of Samoa.

Judge Papalii then ordered the Prosecution to file a response to the defence motion by Friday 3 May.  The Defence counsel is to file a submission in support of her motion by 10 May and Prosecution to respond by 20 May. Judge Papalii will then deliver her ruling on the motion by the 31 May.

Papalii also told both counsels that since this was the first time such an issue was dealt by the court, she would expect top notch research from prosecution and the defence.

Paulo Malele aka King Faipopo is facing 13 charges of making false statements allegedly harming the Prime Minister’s reputation.

Read more at Talamua Online