Matai face attempted murder charge of man tied up and carried through village

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 02 October 2023: A 70 year old man of Lefagaoalii village, Aitaui’a Ioasa Lemau has been charged with attempted murder and was released on bail today to await the next mention date on 16 October 2023.

He is also charged with grievous bodily harm and armed with a dangerous weapon and has yet to enter a plea.

Aitaui’a is among 12 men from Lefagaoalii village charged following the incident three weeks ago where a 72 year old matai was tied up and a yoke used to carry the man from his home towards the village malae to execute the village council decision.

The village decision was aborted when a church minister knelt and pleaded with the village chiefs for the life of the 72 year old.

Of the 12 facing charges, only Aitaui’a is charged in the Supreme Court in Apia due to the seriousness of the charges, while all the other defendants are charged at the District Court at Tuasivi, Savai’i.

Now out on bail, Aitaui’a was ordered to surrender all his travel documents, to stay at his daughter’s home at Tanumapua and to sign at the Faleata Police Outpost every Wednesday until his next court appearance.