Court Revokes Departure Prohibition Order on Lealailepule

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 05 MARCH 2023: The HRPP Secretary and Faleata No 3 Member of Parliament, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi will travel to New Zealand tomorrow after the court revoked the Departure Prohibition Order (DPO) issued last week against him.

District Court Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga revoked the Order this morning after the counsel for Leailepule presented documents to the Court confirming he is returning to Samoa in the last week of April.

The Vaimauga No 3 MP, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai has filed bribery charges against Lealailepule and opposed his leaving the jurisdiction as the matter is set to be called on 18 April 2023.

Lealailepule is facing two counts of bribery that alleged he gave money to induce two voters ahead of the Vaimauga No 3 by-election in February.

He has entered a not guilty plea against the charges.

Counsel for Lautimuia, said Judge Saaga granted Lealailepule’s application after confirmation of his return to Samoa and rescheduled the hearing to July 2023.