Witnesses Sought out Election Candidates for Beer Money, Court Heard

Fa’asaleleaga No.2. MP, Magele Sekati Fiaui (Right) with supporters leaving Court.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA. SAMOA – 09 JUNE 2021: Two witnesses in the election petition filed by former Cabinet Minister Gatoloaifa’ana Amataga Gidlow against elected Member Magele Sekati Fiaui have testified that they went looking for election candidates so they could get money to buy alcohol.

Paleni Faitasia and Ioane Tomasi are voters for the Fa’asaleleaga No.2. electoral constituency and both testified that their intention was purely to get money out of any candidate to satisfy their needs.

Paleni who was drinking alcohol on the night before Palm Sunday in March 2021 woke up the following morning still yearning for more beer.

He went across to a friend – Enekosi and decided to seek out the district’s election candidate, Magele for money.

Paleni claimed he did not know and had not met Magele before but his friend did so they went to Magele’s house, but on the way they decided to try out the petitioner Gatoloaifa’ana first.

“She was not home so we continued on to Magele’s house at Safua, and when we arrived we saw his car and we knew he was home,“ said Paleni.

They came to the house and called out his name, then Magele came out and they talked.

“I was trying to explain our reasons for being there but Magele noticed the injury on my leg and wanted to know what happened, then I said that another reason why we seek your help is to get money so I could go to the hospital,” said Paleni.

Witness Paleni Faitasia.

Paleni’s friend Enekosi had joined them and after talking Magele gave them $100 and they left.

We stopped at the shop and I bought myself a $37 Rover bottle, a big Taula and a bowl of noodles, and the balance I gave to Enekosi, said Paleni.

The respondents lawyer Fetu Vaasiliega thought differently and put to the witness that the main reason for approaching Magele was to secure funds so he could go to the hospital.

“Magele and his family are devoted Mormons and if he knew the money was for alcohol, he would not give the witness any,” said Vaasiliega.

The witness insisted his main purpose was to satisfy their thirst for alcohol.

Another witness, Ioane Tomasi had a similar purpose but rather than seeking out Gatoloaifaana, he and a friend went looking for her son Vaaelua Poi twice.

Ioane insisted it was his friend’s idea.

Returning unsuccessfully from the first visit to Vaaelua, they met Magele on the road and they asked him for money.

“Magele said there was no money on him then but maybe later,” said Ioane.

A second visit to Vaaelua was also unsuccessful and again they saw Magele driving by and he (Magele) waved at them to follow him.

“We followed Magele who pulled over to the side and gave me $60, so we went to the shop, bought myself bottles of beer and cigarettes and I gave my friend his share of $30,” said Ioane.

Witness Ioane Tomasi.

Ioane first met Magele at the end of the 2020 during a political discussion at Mageles house, and their second encounter was when he was given $60.

Most of the oral testimonies presented by the witnesses were not in their sworn affidavit and Vaasiliega wanted to know why.

According to both witnesses, they did not want to drag their friends name in their testimonies but Vaasiliega thought differently.

He pointed out to them that the only reason why they have told the Court everything was because they have realised that their friends would be called to give evidence against their testimonies.

All five witnesses for the petitioner had taken the stand and the respondent called 5 witnesses yesterday with 10 more remaining.

The presiding judges are His Honour the Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese and Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren.

The Court hopes to complete 5 witnesses today and tomorrow leaving Friday for final submissions and the decision to be delivered as soon as possible.