“Sue if Police are negligent or file a private prosecution,” says Police Minister

By LAGI KERESOMA/

Apia, Samoa – 26 January 2024: The Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster has strongly defended the police investigation into the three year old unresolved hit and run case that killed a university student at Vaitele in 2021, saying police have found no solid evidence to charge anyone named on social media.

The Minister gave the explanation in Parliament yesterday morning that caught cabinet ministers by surprise as Cabinet has yet to be updated on the progress so far since its decision in September 2023 for the Attorney General’s advice on recruiting overseas investigators to investigate the incident.

The issue was raised by the Faleata 4 MP, Ale Vena Ale who asked the Minister of Police where the much publicized case lies at the moment.

After two years of police investigation without anyone being charged, the case has played out on social media naming MPs and Cabinet Ministers as suspects and a witness alleging a police cover up, the involvement of illegal drugs and an alleged plot to assassinate two Cabinet ministers.

“What is the hold up?” Ale Vena Ale asked.

“Someone has died, there are witnesses and people have been named as suspects. If the investigation is done, then only the Court has the jurisdiction to decide,” said Ale.

“Why has the matter not yet being presented to the Court for a decision?” Ale asked.

“Why has the matter not yet presented to the Court for a decision?” MP Ale Vena Ale asked.

“We should put this case to rest,” Ale stated and mentioned his concern for the world leaders coming for CHOGM in October while the country is still embroiled in uncertainty over the unresolved case.

Faualo then told Parliament that police investigations have been carried out according to the law and legal guidelines and have had no substantial and concrete evidence to charge anyone or people alleged to be linked to the unresolved case.

“Police decision is made and if the public do not believe them, they have the right to take the matter to court through a private prosecution, or sue the Ministry if they believe the police have been negligent. But the police have made their decision and will not pursue charge anyone because of the lack of solid evidence,” said Faualo.

In defence of the police investigation, Faualo said what’s on social media re wrong as it is not the proper and legal process for a matter such as this incident. He also said that not all matters that police investigate end up in court as police rely on evidence that can be substantiated.

The Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt is one of those implicated in the incident and one of his vehicles was pulled in by police late last year for investigation. He is also named as a target in an alleged assassination plot.

“When should there be closure to this for us named as accused?” Laauli asked.

As the case  was publicly discussed on social media, Cabinet issued a directive in September last year  for the Attorney General’s office to look at the possibility of employing overseas investigators in the unresolved case remains unclear.

The Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster also declared his conflict of interest then as he said he was related to one of those implicated.

In parliament yesterday, Laauli expressed his surprise as Cabinet had not been informed given its previous directive on the matter.

“The matter raised is not easy as I and the late (MP) Vaele were accused in this matter by the Opposition, and we are waiting for answers. Yet, if it takes police forever to find evidence, will the accused be blamed till death?” said Laauli. “When should there be closure to this for us named as accused?” he asked.

Noting the obvious tension within cabinet on the issue, the Speaker intervened then broke the session for their normal morning break.

It is a matter for Cabinet & police continues investigation    
After the morning break, the Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio took the floor and clarified some of the issues raised by Faualo.

“This is a Ministry of Police matter and it is before Cabinet, and Mr. Speaker, I request that the matter not be discussed further as investigations are continuing,” said Tuala.