A legal challenge against the victory of the M.P.-elect in the seat of Aana Alofi No. 3, Agaseata Valelio Peto was dismissed on Friday.

But the court action backfired for his opponent, Ili Setefano Taateo, who challenged Agaseata's victory in court but was instead found guilty himself of two counts of bribery.  

The decision was handed down by Justice Vui Clarence Nelson and Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren this morning. 

Agaseata is making his debut in Parliament; he stood for the seat under the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) banner.

Part of the allegations against him and thrown out by the court were claims he engaged in bribery during the F.A.S.T. party's campaign roadshow.

Ili, a former Tautua Samoa party M.P., ran as an independent candidate and had plans to switch his allegiance to join the Human Rights Protection Party had he been successful in the April poll.

The latest results leaves F.A.S.T. in the lead retaining 26 seats and H.R.P.P. fallen to 24 representatives in the Legislative Assembly.

A former Principal of Nofoalii Primary School and an educator for more than 40 years, Agaseata took over the seat with 675 votes with Ili coming second with 560 votes.