Sex claims conspiracy

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 02 October 2016, 12:00AM

A Court Consent Order clearing the sacked General Secretary of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S), Reverend Dr. Afereti Uili, of sex allegations has given rise to claims the allegations might have been part of a conspiracy.

Signed by Justice Lesatele Rapi Vaai, of the Supreme Court, the Order obtained by the Sunday Samoan says the initial letter containing the allegations from Angeline Lesa was written by “others.”

The document does not elaborate on whom it was referring to by the use of the word “others.”

But it clearly vindicates Rev. Uili. 

“That  all the accusations against the plaintiff who was the General Secretary of the E.F.K.S dated the 9th September 2015 signed by the defendant to the Chairperson of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa are not true,” the Order reads. 

Rev. Elder Tavita Roma was the Chairperson of the Church at the time.

 “That the letter was signed by the defendant but was written by others.

“That none of the accusations in the letter regarding the Plaintiff and which the defendant signed are true. That there are visual and sound recordings but they are not correct.”

The Consent Order Pursuant to an Agreement by Mediation on 5 September 2016 outlines the agreement reached by the parties. 

It also shows that Rev. Uili has agreed to withdraw a financial claim against the defendant.

“The Plaintiff agrees to withdraw the case against the defendant regarding the financial claim stated in the Statement of Claim. The Plaintiff is satisfied with the confession made by the defendant that the accusations made against the Plaintiff are false.”

The former Secretary General had filed for defamation against Ms. Lesa last year.

He also filed a lawsuit against Tupuola Patrick Boon who is the owner of South Pacific Gladding and the Samoa Today newspaper for defamation. 

The newspaper published a news article about Rev. Uili, containing the allegations. 

Samoa Today is no longer in operation.

Contacted for a comment, Rev. Uili said he has not heard from the church. 

“I am still waiting for the church whether they will make a decision about me or not,” he said. 

“I don’t expect anything from them unless they make a decision. The ball is on their side and it’s their turn to make a decision.” 

Asked if he will sue the church for wrongful dismissal, the former Secretary General was coy.

“At this stage I have not thought that far,” he said. 

“My immediate concern now is the lawsuit against Patrick Boon and the newspaper…but I have not decided on that (legal action against the church), it never came to my mind.”

 Rev. Uili also declined to give an estimate of how much he is suing Tupuola and the Samoa Today Newspaper for.

Neither the Chairman of the Elders Committee, Rev. Tavita Anesone or the C.C.C.S. Chairman, Rev. Elder Tautiaga Senara nor C.C.C.S. Secretary General, Rev. Vavatau Taufao could be found for a comment.

By Lanuola Tupufia – Ah Tong 02 October 2016, 12:00AM
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