Church Minister accused in an incest complaint has left the country

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 23 AUGUST 2023: A church minister accused of allegedly raping a 15 year old girl has left the country while the matter is being investigated by police.

The Commissioner Police, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed the accused has not yet been charged as the investigation is still in progress.

The investigative team found out recently that the accused has left for overseas but Auapaau said Samoa has an Extradition Act they can execute to bring the accused back to stand trial if the matter does get to Court.

To make the investigation more difficult, the complainant who is a 15-year-old girl from the minister’s church parish has left the shelter where she was placed for her protection.

“The girl’s uncle took the girl from the Samoa Victim Support Campus where she was placed under,” explained Auapaau.

The girl’s family was banished from the village after the incident surfaced while the accused remained and continued to serve as the parish church minister.

Police then placed the girl under the protection of the Samoa Victim Campus of Hope.

“But it presents difficulty for the police investigation if there is no support from her family,” said Auapaau.