Court grants MP Leave to Travel with Parliamentary Delegation  

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 09 April 2024 – The District Court has granted Member of Parliament Fepulea’i Fa’asavalu Faimata Su’a leave of jurisdiction so he could travel with a parliamentary delegation to New Zealand.

His passport was released yesterday after the court required him to pay two sureties of $3000 each with a guarantee that he returns to Samoa to stand trial.

Last night, Fepulea’i responded on social media to Opposition criticisms that the court should not have allowed him to travel as he faces criminal charges.

However, Fepulea’i said that he has been given due clearance by the court to travel and he joins the parliamentary delegation which is led by the Speaker as he is the Chairman of a Parliamentary Committee.

He also stated that he strongly denies the charges and that he remains innocent until proven guilty.

Not the first time
A court registrar told Talamua that granting leave of jurisdiction to someone facing criminal charges is not new.

There are conditions and provisions in the law that allow it but it all comes down to the Courts authority to grant or not.

Whether it’s an MP, a Minister, a politician a church minister or any person, it’s the courts discretion based on the applicant satisfying the criteria.

The Registrar said the court treats everyone equally. It is the same with witnesses to any criminal matters, they too have to apply to leave jurisdiction.

Fepulea’i is a former Associate Minister for Police and is jointly charged with four other individuals on various charges ranging from trying to defeat the course of justice, relaying false information to the police and fabricating evidence.