Former Assistant Police Commissioner Sworn-in as LTC Vice President

By Lagi Keresoma.

APIA, SAMOA – 20 FEBRUARY 2023:  A former Assistant Police Commissioner, Afamasaga Michael So’onalole was sworn-in as the new Vice President of the Lands & Titles Court (LTC) yesterday.

He is the first Vice President to be sworn-in under the new LTC Act 2020.

Presiding over the swearing-in ceremony was the LTC President Lesatele Rapi Vaai who highlighted the LTC Commission process which saw the appointment of Afamasaga.

More than 100 lawyers eligible to the appointment but…..

The President said more than 100 lawyers were eligible to the appointment of Vice President according to the list given to the Commission, however, there were criteria that needed to be satisfied.

The criteria include:

• At least 10 years of service as a lawyer.
• Must hold a matai title for at least 3 years and
• Must be a matai serving the village (tautua nu’u)

The President said whilst all lawyers are eligible, the list diminished quickly when it came to the second and especially the third criteria.

Also included in the LTC Commission assessment were the feedback from the appointee’s service to the Supreme and District Courts.

Afamasaga topped the short list handed down to the President whose task was to approach the appointee if he would accept or not.

“It was our third meeting at the golf course that Afamasaga finally agreed to the appointment,” said the President.

Under the new LTC Act 2020 structure, the Lands & Titles Court of Appeal is now known as the LTC High Court where the President and Vice President preside.

The LTC Second Court is presided over by the Assistant Presidents (Perestene Lagolago) with the First Court by LTC Judges.

Afamasaga taking his Oath of Office before the President & Judges of the Lands & Titles Court and guests.

Be trustworthy & honest in your calling
Reverend Tafa Nefu of the EFKS Alamagoto conducted the service where he encouraged Afamasaga to be “honest and be a trustworthy person.”

“We need people of integrity, honest and meant ‘yes’ when they say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ when they say “no.”

The swearing-in saw for the first time the presence of the Attorney General and President of the Samoa Law Society (SLS) in accordance with the requirements of LTC Act 2020.

The Attorney General, Su’a Helena Wallwork-Lamb congratulated Afamasaga and encouraged him as it won’t be an easy task and there will always be challenges and complaints.

“I note the increase of appeal cases and the Court cannot please everyone, and you will meet challenges along the way, and I wish you well,” said Su’a.

The new LTC Vice President Afamasaga Michael Soonalole with his parents, wife Melesete and their children and some family members.

Afamasaga’s legal journey
The President of the Samoa Law Society, Alexander Su’a presented an insight into Afamasaga’s journey from a police officer to Vice President of the Lands and Titles Court.

Afamasaga started working as a police officer in 1994 and also took law papers at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Alafua where he graduated with a Certificate in Law.

He was awarded a Government scholarship at the USP School of Law in Vanuatu where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law in 2004.

Returning home, he continued to serve the Ministry of Police and the Office of the Attorney General and later had further studies in Australia where he received a Master in Law – Criminal Justice & Criminology.

He was registered as a lawyer in 2005 and served the Ministry of Police in the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Prosecution, Training and later appointed as Assistance Police Commissioner.

In 2017, he resigned and established his own law firm at Alamagoto and last year, graduated with a Master in Business Administration from USP Alafua.

Afamasaga Michael Soonalole with members of the Samoa Law Society, Matafeo Gorge Latu, Alexander Su’a (President), Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu, Fuimaono Sarona Ponifasio & Sala Josephine Stowers.

Afamasaga acknowledged his mentors
Afamasaga is humbled by the appointment but said he would not make it if it was not for the support and encouragement of the people he was associated with.

Such people include the former Attorney General, Taulapapa Brenda Heather- Latu, the former Police Commissioner, Asi Semisi Blakelock and Assistant Commissioner, Papalii Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u, and former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegoi for providing the opportunity for him to study abroad .

He acknowledged his parents, family and Cabinet for the confidence vested in him as Vice President of the Land and Titles Court.

“E le mama ia te a’u le tofiga i so’u le atoatoa, ae o le a taumafai i le mea e gata ai ile tautuaina ole atunu’u, ma o le a faalagolago foi i musumusga a le Agaga Paia e fai ai faaiuga sa’o ia tutusa ma ala tulafono,” said Afamasaga.