Court rebukes defendant over bail application

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 03 August 2017, 12:00AM

A man accused of attempted sexual violation in a case involving a nine-year-old girl has been rebuked by the Supreme Court.

On Monday, Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu, told off Niuti Tuitamali’i Auvae who was represented by lawyer, Tuisa Tasi Patea.

The rebuke came after Tuisa had made an application for his client to reside in Upolu instead of Savai’i.

 “This is a variation of a bail as you are aware Your Honour,” said Tuisa.

When bail was initially granted, the defendant was told to stay at Salelologa and he was to sign in at Tuasivi Police Office.

This time, the defendant wants to move to Apia.

 “He (defendant) now wants to reside in Apia away from the victim. He wanted to go back (to Savai’i) because he wanted to collect all his belongings.”

But the Chief Justice was not impressed. 

 “The Court doesn’t like this idea of you changing places that you want to reside in,” said Chief Justice Patu.

Although the application was granted, Chief Justice Patu said: “Don’t ever change your place of stay from now on.

“You are just wasting the Court’s time when you keep changing. Now you will be staying at your relatives in Apia and you are to sign in at the Police Station in Apia.”

Niuti is an official of the Jehovah’s Witness Faith who pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted sexual violation.

The hearing has been set for 27 November 2017. The alleged incident happened when the victim was walking home from school.

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 03 August 2017, 12:00AM

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