Five matai from Matautu Falelatai and five other untitled men have denied allegations of damaging water pipes in some parts of the village around August this year. 

The men appeared before the District Court on Tuesday and entered their not guilty plea to joint charges of intentional damage. 

Five of the men are facing four counts of intentional damage while the rest are charged with one count of intentional damage. 

Their lawyer Maureen Tuimalealiifano represented the villagers while Ioata Tanielu was the prosecutor. 

Prosecutor and Attorney General’s Office lawyer, Ioata Tanielu withdrew the original charges against the defendants and proceeded with the final charges. Judge Matautia Raymond Schuster presided the matter. 

The defendants are Hama Vea, Salalau Sililo Tuisalogo, Komeri also known as Tiai Misa Etuale, Taulia Lupematasila, Gagaifo Nanai Gagaifo, Lupematasila Tusiga, Anae Mati Salu, Misa Atapana and Lupematasila Faamanu Ivara. 

Judge Schuster adjourned the matter for hearing 1 April next year. 

The charges stemmed from a dispute between the village council of Falelatai and members of a church in the area that escalated over the years as a result of a Land and Titles Court matter. 

The legal dispute over the establishment of the S.I.S.D.A.C. church in Matautu led to road blocks being set up in certain areas of the village. 

The L.T.C. court had already ruled that the new church contravenes rules limiting the number of churches in Matautu. 

Church members, who say they feared being penalised by the village council, said the dispute had also affected their children who were unable to attend school as they were prevented from getting picked up.

Police moved in to charge and arrest the defendants after the village council failed to turn in the suspects who were identified by those in authority. 

When the police visited the village they were asked by the village council to let them bring in the men. 

As part of Samoan customs and culture, the police consented to the agreement but it did not eventuated which forced them to enforce the law and execute the arrest.