Counsel Claims Friends for Fiamē were Agents of FAST

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 17 JUNE 2021:  Counsel Tufuga Fagaloa Tufuga, representing Tautua Samoa leader Afualo Dr. Wood Salele had claimed that Friends for Fiamē were agents for the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi – FAST party.

Counsel made the claim during his final submission of the three day trial yesterday.

He said Friends for Fiamē’s presence at the Samata-uta Methodist church service one week before the general election was on instructions of the FAST party.

Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma asked counsel to explain his thoughts on the word “agents” to which Tufuga said Friends for Fiamē were acting “most likely agents for the party.”

Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa asked Tufuga what evidence was there to back up his claim.

“The evidence before the Court is that they have planned this trip to Savaii. They did not just go there, it has been planned,” said Tufuga,

Tufuga believes this was all part of a campaign and rather than FAST doing it because the prohibited period for campaign had ended, Friends for Fiamē stepped in as agents of FAST to ensure the campaign continues.

Justice Niava again followed up with Tufuga is there was any evidence to back up his claim.

She pointed out there was no evidence before the Court to corroborate his claim.

Counsel for the petitioner, Tufuga Fagaloa Tufuga.

Tufuga then raised the roadshow but Justice Niava said the roadshow was FAST’s, whereas the church service, only Fiamē, Fepulea’i Fa’asavalu Faimata and Friends of Fiamē attended.

She said evidence before the Court also suggested that Fiamē requested the meeting with the Au Uso Fealofani after the service to talk about women and domestic violence issues and she did this in her capacity as the President of the National Council of Women.

Justice Niava also pointed out the evidence of Tauilili Alise Stunnenberg which clearly said the money donated was theirs not Fiamē’s or Fepuleai’s.

Counsel for Fepulea’i, Muriel Lui submitted that all throughout the trial, no one had identified that the money donated was actually from Fepulea’i.

The envelope of $2000 for the Au Uso Fealofani passed two hands before it came to Fepulea’i who handed it over.

The testimonies of witnesses on both sides all pointed to “O Uo a Fiamē.” (Friends of Fiamē).

“Tauiliili’s testimony is likely the most credible one as she was the one that handed the donation over,” counsel argued.

In her testimony, she gave the envelope to Fiamē who in turn gave it to Fepulea’i who was speaking on her behalf to acknowledge the fa’aaloaloga.

In his evidence, Fepulea’i told the court that their presence at Samata-uta had nothing to do with FAST, but an invitation for Fiamē to present on the domestic issues with women.

Tauilili also denied any connection between their being at Samata-uta and FAST.

This is our own money and our own dealings as a way of helping a friend, she said.

“As a daughter of a church minister herself, Tauilili said she knew of unexpected activities within the church and her group planned their trip and prepared for anything,” Tauiliili said.

Counsel Muriel Lui also touched on the claim by one of Afualo’s witness that there was no fa’aaloaloga to warrant the giving of the $2000 for the Au Uso Fealofani.

She asked the Court to consider the evidence of the Au Uso Fealofani Secretary Selu Posea who claimed the fa’aaloaloga was presented to Fiamē after the meeting and the $2000 was then given to them.

The lawyers’ submissions wrapped up the 3 days trial on the election petition filed by the Tautua Party Leader, Afualo against Salega #1 against the elected Member Fepulea’i, and the decision will be delivered as soon as it is ready.

Afualo had earlier indicated that he was withdrawing his petition after meeting members of the village council but later decided to continue.