Zipso sentence adjourned due to his lawyer suspension

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong 16 April 2019, 12:00AM

The sentencing for Samoan rapper, Sipili Nanai, better known as Zipso, has been further adjourned due to his lawyer being suspended by the Samoa Law Society. 

Lawyer Maiava Visekota Peteru represented Zipso during his hearing earlier this year before she was suspended in April.

Zipso is charged with grievous bodily harm and had pleaded guilty to the charge.  

In the Supreme Court on Monday, prosecutor Lucy Sio - Ofoia told the Court the matter was adjourned for sentence but counsel is not present. 

 Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asue Falefatu Sapolu then asked the defendant if he was aware of the matter relating to his lawyer. 

Zipso responded that he does not know. 

Chief Justice Patu then told the defendant if he wanted to seek another legal counsel or find another lawyer from the same law firm that Maiava is from that can represent him. 

The artist told the Court he has already paid money to the lawyer and does not want another lawyer. 

The Chief Justice then adjourned the matter to allow the defendant to consider whether he wants to be represented by another lawyer from the same law firm that his lawyer is from or find another counsel. 

Zipso was initially charged with attempted murder in relation to an incident where he allegedly attacked a 36-year-old man from the village of Solosolo. 

The incident occurred after the victim, a neighbour, confronted the singer to turn down his music. 

In response, Zipso told the victim he can do whatever in his land. The victim, who was standing outside from the window of the singer, allegedly punched Zipso through the window. 

The pair got into a dispute and led to Zipso allegedly slashing the victim who tried to shield the attack with his hand and as a result cut off several of his fingers. 

The second alleged slash resulted into a laceration to the victim's head, which required 12 stitches.  

The victim luckily survived after being admitted at the Moto'otua hospital. The attempted murder charge against the singer was withdrawn and was substituted to a grievous bodily harm. 

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong 16 April 2019, 12:00AM

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