PSC to Provide Information Needed in Police Criminal Investigation

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 08 FEBRUARY 2022: The Public Service Commission (PSC) has to provide to the Police by Wednesday next week, information and documents needed in a police criminal investigation.

The Acting Police Commissioner, Afamasaga Samuelu Afamasaga told Talamua that the Police are investigating a complaint by the former CEO of the Ministry of Justice & Courts Administration, Taimalelagi John Papalii.

Taimalelagi has filed a criminal libel complaint against the Loabay Media for alleged defamatory statements made against Taimalelagi.

“We know PSC carried out an investigation into allegations against Taimalelagi which is where Loabay based its facebook posts on Taimalelagi now claimed as defamatory,” said Afamasaga.

The police were never involved in the PSC investigation, but because Taimalelagi has lodged a criminal libel complaint with the police, Afamasaga said the police need to know what the PSC investigation was about especially on the comments made by Loabay.

“We have written to PSC to disclose information about their investigation and they have until next Wednesday to provide the information and documents we need,” said Afamasaga.

The former CEO of the Ministry of Justice, Papalii John Taimalelagi.

Police are seeking from PSC clarification on:

• Whether MJCA filed a complaint against Taimalelagi;
• Any documents or records on any sexual harassment complaints by witnesses or victims;
• And the outcome of their investigation.

Search Warrant served on PSC
Afamasaga was asked to clarify why a search warrant was issued on PSC instead of a discovery of documents.

“A search warrant is the ultimate notice that no one can go against and we can use the search warrant to obtain documents by force,” he explained.

“The search warrant can also act as an arresting officer against anyone that may obstruct any police investigation,” he said.

He also noted that 10 years ago when police needed information or documents from government ministries or companies in an investigation, police provided an official letter and people were very cooperative then.

There were no lawyers representing each ministry then except for the office of the Attorney General.

Today, ministries have legal officers and they also want to protect their confidential information.

“We cannot complete our investigation until we know what the PSC investigation was based on and information provided to them during their investigation,” said Afamasaga.

Papali’i Taimalelagi’s term as CEO of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration was terminated following the PSC investigation and he has since resided in Auckland, New Zealand.