Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, says the man who accused him of “murder, corruption and gun smuggling” among other things will finally have his day in Court. 

He was referring to Paulo Malele, who is better known as “King Faipopo,” whom the Police arrested and charged last week for making false statements. 

“He (Malele) will have his day in Court to bring all his witnesses to testify to determine, whether I committed such crimes,” Tuilaepa said. 

“It is pointless for me to be in office when this person is saying I am a murderer." 

"Even a house gecko I can’t kill it, I just can’t do that, only people who do not fear God do those unspeakable things.” 

The defendant lives in Australia but came to Samoa for his mother’s funeral, when he was detained by the Police and taken in for questioning. 

According to the Police, their investigation started in August last year, when a complaint was lodged by the Prime Minister in relation to alleged defamatory statements made by the defendant.

The Police said Mr. Paulo – through YouTube videos – made public statements accusing the Prime Minister of “committing murder, corruption, theft, gun smuggling and other statements that are strongly denied by the complainant."

During his weekly program with the media, the Prime Minister said Malele was probably influenced by false reports by Samoan-based local residents. 

“Again he wasn’t here and so it must be false reports by the local residents. This is also an opportunity for the locals who feed him (Malele) the wrong information to go before the Court and testify and bring their evidence,” he said. 

Malolo has been remanded at liberty and is scheduled to appear before the Court on March 5. 

He has to report to the Criminal Investigation Division every Friday.

The Police also used the opportunity to issue a warning about the abuse of social media.

“The damage that defamatory statements on social media outlets and cyber bullying has done to several members of the community is a matter that these laws are designed to address,” the statement said. 

“Where complaints are laid with the police, we will do our best to assist those being victimised on social media platforms by any false statements. “