The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance, Leasiosiofa’asisina Oscar Malielegaoi has accepted a request where he was asked to resign announcing it before his staff this morning.

“Many have asked me if its true talks on the social media,” Leasiosio told a his Ministry this morning. 

“Yes it’s true I was given a letter yesterday by the Minister.

“The letter says today is my last day at work to hand my resignation or the letter asked me to resign effective today in close of business. I have accepted it although this matter is hard I still want to serve the Government through the Ministry of Finance – my family for many years."  

The announcement from Leasiosio follows his point blank denial reports on Thursday claiming he had his services terminated by the Fa'atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T) party led Government. 

The Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo had dismissed the rumours saying she was alerted to it but “its misinformation” and should be ignored. 

“It has come to my attention that there are rumours circulating (on social media especially) regarding the employment status of the CEO of the Ministry of Finance,” Mulipola said in a statement. 

“Please ignore such misinformation which does a disservice to both the C.E.O. and myself.” 

This statement follows claims and counterclaims that have led to the spread of online social media misinformation and confusion about the Finance chief's employment status. He had unequivocally denied being terminated less than 24 hours ago in a curt but definitive interview with the Samoa Observer.

“Those rumours are not true,” Leasiosiofa’asisina told the Samoa Observer in a brief telephone interview when asked if his services had been terminated. 

Why Leasiosio denied the allegations on Thursday evening but said they were true less than 24 hours later is not known. 

Suggestions he had been sacked originated with an official post from the opposition Human Rights Protection Party’s (H.R.P.P.) social media page.

* This is a developing story