The former Secretary General of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S), Reverend Dr. Afereti Uili, is a relieved man. 

It follows a decision by the Supreme Court earlier this month to give a judgment by consent on a mediation agreement in relation to a sexual allegation against the sacked church official.

Contacted for a comment yesterday, Rev. Afereti confirmed the Court’s decision. 

He said the woman who made the allegation, Angeline Lesa, turned up in Court on 5th September to give her consent for the mediation agreement to be delivered as a Court Order.

“I’m very happy that my name has been cleared,” the former Secretary General told the Samoa Observer. 

“It’s official now that my name is cleared from all of this. I’m relieved because this is what I had fought for to clear my name and now it’s official from the Court.”

The Court’s decision to give consent by judgment puts an end to a longstanding fight by Rev. Afereti to clear his name from the sexual allegation, which led to his sacking by the Church. 

Rev. Afereti declined to give a copy of the Court order saying it was best to get it from the Court or from his lawyer. 

His lawyer is Semi Leung Wai and it was not possible to get a comment from him yesterday. 

Asked if he plans to clear his name from the church by giving them the Order, he said no.

“I’m sure they are aware of it,” said Rev. Afereti. 

“I don’t have to deliver an order to them to know it. I’m sure they know.”

Sexual allegations made by Angeline Lesa resulted in Rev. Afereti taking legal action against her in the Supreme Court. 

The woman was sued for defamation by Rev. Afereti.

But the Church stood him down from all his positions.

Rev. Uili has protested his innocence all along. 

Asked for a comment at the time, Rev. Uili said: “My argument is this, I’m innocent. I haven’t done anything wrong. There has been no proof for these allegations.”

“The decision they’ve made is based on their opinion that I have sinned but I strongly reject the allegation. Not only do I reject the allegation, as far as I’m concerned, nothing has been proven.”

Rev. Uili said when the allegation was made, “I pleaded with the Elders Committee to consider them carefully especially because none of it is true.

 “I strongly reject them but it seems like they’ve made their decision based on their belief that the allegation is correct and I’m wrong.”

The case was later referred to mediation where an agreement was reached. Details of that mediation have remained confidential.