The President of the Land and Titles Court (L.T.C.) has gone ahead with the swearing-in of new Court officials including the L.T.C. Deputy President despite question marks over its legality.

The L.T.C. President Fepuleai Attila M. Ropati will also initiate proceedings in Samoa’s Supreme Court with the Samoa Observer reliably informed there was an urgent in-chamber session at 9.30am this morning.

Despite the uncertainty over the legality of the swearing-in ceremony, the new appointees of the L.T.C. turned up at the Court precinct this morning to wait for the start of the formal ceremony.

They include the former Electoral Commissioner, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, Leaupepe Fatu Pula and and former Fire Commissioner, Taueva Faafouina Mupo. 

The service is led by Reverend Faumuina Opapo, a former Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S.) Minister.

The Attorney-General, Su’a Hellene Wallwork, recently provided legal advice to the Justice Minister that advised against going ahead with the formalising of the appointments as the law was defective and needed supplementary legislation passed by the Parliament.

This is a developing story.....