Australian-based Samoan radio host pleads not guilty

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 02 AUGUST 2022: A Sydney based Samoan radio host, Tiumalumatua Maifea Fetu has entered a not guilty plea on the charge of defamation.

The plea was entered through his lawyer Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio in court today.

The charge stemmed from alleged public defamatory comments he made against the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi – FAST party and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa on his radio programs.

The complainant is the Secretary of the FAST Party, Va’aaoao Alofipo.

Presiding Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii adjourned the matter to 19 August 2022 for hearing.

The defendant is remanded on bail and has surrendered his travel documents to the court Registrar and is ordered to sign at the Faleolo Police outpost every Friday until the hearing.

Tiumalumatua is charged with committing a crime under section 117 (A) of the Crimes Act 2013 which states false statement causing harm to a person’s reputation and is liable to a fine not exceeding 175 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months.

Tiumalumatua’s radio programme is available on social media platforms online.

According to Tiumalumatua, he planned to return to Australia after the Methodist’s annual conference last month that he attended but is now unable to return due to the charges against him.