Appeal against conspiracy to murder dismissed

Apia, Samoa – 11 October 2024 – The appeal by Lema’i Sione, one of the three men jailed for conspiracy to murder former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has been dismissed.

The decision was delivered by Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese after three months of the appeal hearing.

Lema’i appealed his conviction and sentence to four years on the charge of conspiracy to murder.

Four men were originally charged and Lema’i and two co-defendants are now serving four year jail terms on the same charge.

An order was issued not to publish the contents of the appeal decision as the remaining defendant, Talalelei Pauga who was extradited from Australia to answer the charges against him in court in Samoa, has yet to have his case heard.