Church files lawsuit

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 22 December 2015, 12:00AM

The Board of Trustees of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa has filed a $300,000 lawsuit in the Supreme Court. 

The lawsuit targets the Samoa Today Newspaper over a story it published three months ago, making an allegation against the General Secretary of the C.C.C.S, Reverend Dr. Afereti Uili.

The lawsuit names businessman, Patrick Boon and Patrick Boon Holdings Company Ltd as respondents. The other respondents are reporter, Kirstin Toaimoana Ofisa and Editor, Manū Asafo Maugatai.  

The Board of Trustees is taking legal action against the named respondents for alleged defamation of the Church. 

Semi Leung Wai is appearing on behalf of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa.

Alalatoa Rosella Papali’i is representing the two respondents, Kirstin Ofisa and Manū Asafo Maugatai, while Patrick Boon is currently overseas. 

The matter was mentioned before Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu yesterday. It has been adjourned until 18 January 2016.  

The Samoa Observer understands that there is a separate claim of $100,000 by the church’s General Secretary Reverend Afereti Uili against the reporter who wrote the article. 

A young woman who made the allegations in the story is also sued.

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 22 December 2015, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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