Associate Minister questions Police

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 12 July 2016, 12:00AM

The Associate Minister of the Ministry of the Prime Minister, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga, is searching for answers from the Police.

He wants to know what they have done with a complaint he lodged against them last year.

The M.P. for Fa’asaleleaga No. 4 is awaiting the hearing of a criminal matter where he faces one count of forgery and another charge of fraud in relation to a document he is alleged to have forged.

The hearing of the matter has been adjourned until September this year. Peseta denies the charges.

In the interim, he had a filed a complaint against the Ministry of Police about the handling of the matter which led to the charges against him.

Yesterday, he told the Samoa Observer he still hasn’t heard from them. 

“I did not withdraw my complaint,” he said.

“I have already spent a substantial amount of money on my lawyer and I will not withdraw it. 

“I still haven’t heard from the Police since then (when filed complaint). They keep saying to me they are investigating it but there hasn’t been any development to it.”

According to Peseta, it appears that the Police are not making any progress. 

“It’s the same answer every time you ask,” he said. 

“They are investigating…I haven’t heard from the Police and the investigation and complaint is to do with a lot of the mess dealing with land, money and other things. 

“You will find out when it’s all done.”

As for a civil claim where the M.P. is involved in with the former Speaker of the House, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao and others, he said this has been referred to mediation. 

Peseta said the matter would be called in August while the hearing of criminal charges against him has been scheduled for the end of the year.

It was not possible to get an official comment from Police yesterday. 

The Police Spokesperson, Maotaoalii Kaioneta was not at his office.

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 12 July 2016, 12:00AM

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