A voter from Tufulele has told a court he received $150 from a former Member of Parliament, Ili Setefano Taateo, after visiting him one Sunday night to discuss the upcoming national election.

Neemia Lotomau of Tufulele was the last witness to give evidence in a counter petition hearing lodged by Aana Alofi No. 3 elected Member of Parliament, Agaseata Valelio Peto. Agaseata is a member of the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party.

The former Tautua Samoa party Member of Parliament, Ili Setefano petitioned Agaseata who in return filed a counter suit against his unsuccessful opponent. 

Testifying in support of Agaseata, Mr. Lotomau said he visited Ili’s home in Nofoalii at 9 pm on a Sunday so he could talk to him about the election. 

He said the former M.P. informed him that he was running in the election and gave him $150 reminding him not to forget the election and to vote for him. 

The father of 11 children is unemployed and feeds his family from what he earns from his plantation. 

Lawyer Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt, acting for Ili, suggested to the witness that the real reason why he went to Ili’s home on that Sunday was because he had visited Ili earlier asking for help. 

The lawyer put it to the witness that Ili told him he did not have any money on him and told him to come later on that Sunday to collect the money to help with his fa’alavelave (unexpected family needs). 

Lotomau denied this saying the only time he went to Ili was at night time on 28 March and not in the morning. 

It is also his evidence that he is a witness for Agaseata because he no longer supports Ili whom he previously voted for in the past election. 

Justice Vui Clarence Nelson then asked the witness why he went to see Ili late on that Sunday night and not on another day.

The witness replied that he went to talk to Ili because he wanted to learn about the topics at the centre of the April election, when the court heard he was given the $150. 

There are three allegations of bribery against Agaseata who called 13 witnesses. 

Ili, on the other hand, petitioned the elected M.P. accusing him of nine allegations of illegal activities and treating. 

The former M.P. called nine witnesses to support his electoral challenge. 

Lawyers Alex Sua and Fetu Lagaaia are acting for the F.A.S.T. winner in the matter. 

Final submissions are to be filed before Justice Nelson and Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren on Thursday afternoon. 

Agaseata collected 700 votes in the recent election while Ili totalled 575 ballots. 

The newly elected M.P. for Aana Alofi No. 3 was a former Principal of the Nofoalii Primary School and hails from Nofoalii. 

Ili, a former opposition M.P., registered as an independent candidate leading up to April’s polling day. 

The caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi had announced that Ili had informed the H.R.P.P. of his intention to change allegiance to the party.