Engaging overseas investigators in hit & run case still in the process

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 01 December 2023: The Cabinet decision to recruit overseas investigators for the unresolved hit and run incident that killed a young university student at Vaitele in April 2021 is still in the process.

The Acting Prime Minister, Valasi Togamaga Tafito Selesele confirmed with Talamua that the matter was not discussed in Cabinet’s Wednesday meeting but said the process to engage such service is ongoing.

In September this year, Cabinet directed the Attorney General to assess the evidence into the hit and run incident and to advise Cabinet on the process to engage overseas investigators to investigate the incident.

The Cabinet decision followed the opening up of sensitive information on social media by a witness who claimed he gave the police evidence he recorded on a mobile phone that may resolve the incident.

The witness revealed not only information about the hit and run incident but also an alleged plot to assassinate two Cabinet ministers and alleged police involvement in illicit drugs. Police however reiterated that there was no evidence and the claims cannot be proven.

A Cabinet Minister implicated in the assassination used a police inspector to conduct a private investigation into the witnesses’ claims.

When the investigation was completed, the information was presented to the police. A month later, the Police said the witness information was not reliable and that the claims cannot be proven.

The police investigation then turned to the police inspector and a second police officer who were then charged by the Police Standards Unit for conducting an unauthorized investigation.

In the Cabinet meeting where the decision to look at engaging overseas police investigators was made, the Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster made know his conflict of interest as he was related to the person implied in the witnesses claims.

The Cabinet Minister who requested the inspector to investigate the claims also excused himself from the cabinet meeting as he was implied as a target in the alleged assassination claims.

Two months since the Cabinet directive, legal sources told Talamua said that such matters take time but it is in the process.