TV Interview Trigger Police Investigation of Allegations against Former Deputy Speaker

Lauao Sinasina, the EFKS TV Programme where a retired police officer revealed allegations of high level corruption in the police service.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 31 MARCH 2021: Police have launched an investigation into allegations made by a former police officer, Paepaetele Junior against the former Deputy Speaker Nafo’itoa Tala’imanu Keti.

The allegations were made in an interview on the EFKS TV programme, Lauao Sinasina on Monday night and rebroadcast yesterday.

The police paid a visit to the EFKS TV station yesterday seeking assistance to access the interview to help their investigation following a complaint against the allegations made by the former police officer Paepaetele Junior in the interview.

A source said Paepaetele has been given a chance to bring in evidence to support his allegation, and if there is enough evidence, an investigation can be opened against the former Deputy Speaker.

Paepaetele could be facing a defamation charge should he fail to prove these allegations.

Attempted rape allegation
Nafo’i and Paepaetele were both police officers at the time of the alleged incident.

Nafo’i went through the ranks to become an Assistant Commissioner whereas Paepaetele served as an escort for the then Head of State. Nafoi pursued a political career and was the Deputy Speaker in the last parliament and Paepaetele retired in 2017.

“If my mind serves me well, the incident happened around 2006 or 2007, and every high ranking police officer at the time knew of the incident,” Paepaetele said on the TV interview.

The EFKS TV Programme, Lauao Sinasina features interviews with senior citizens about their life stories and service to the public and people of Samoa.

“What saddens me is that nothing not even a tribunal was conducted on this incident,“ said Paepaetele.

He said for years, he was troubled by the fact that he and all the other officers knew of the allegations and yet nothing was done about it.

He relayed that what triggered his coming forward was watching Nafo’i conduct himself in Parliament (conducting parliament in the Speakers absence) as if he had not done anything wrong.
“And God finally answered my prayers to talk about it,” he said on TV.

“Police are quick to charge the public even on minor offences and yet could not bring themselves to charge a police officer,” said Paepatele.

Paepatele said he recently met with the police woman who is the alleged victim and she is still serving at one of the police outposts.

“I informed her of what I was about to do, and I even asked her to come forward,” said Paepaetele.

During the TV programme, Paepaetele boldly said he was ready to respond to the police should they decide to investigate.

The question in the minds of many is why the former police officer chose to come forward two weeks prior to the general election where Nafo’i is an election candidate.