Court
Former Cabinet Minister Pleads Not Guilty to Deception & Fraud
By Lagi Keresoma/
Apia, Samoa – 10 December 2024 – A former Cabinet Minister, Manu’a Enokati Pelo has pleaded not guilty to the charge of deception and fraud in court yesterday.
He is co-charged with village mayor, Tapagaia Taupega Amituanai Foa who also entered a not guilty plea.
According to prosecution, the charges stemmed from both defendants endorsing the Amituanai title of Lalomanu on someone when that person did not go through the traditional bestowal process and ceremony or saofa’i, a matai is required to go through.
Manu’a, a land surveyor by profession represented the district of Safata as a Member of Parliament under the HRPP Government and was the Minister for Works Transport & Infrastructure (MWTI).
The case is scheduled to be heard in June 2025.
Talanoaga ma le Afioga ile Taitaifono ole SEA ma le STEC, Tagaloa Eddie Wilson – Vaega 01
Talanoaga ma le Ta’ita’ifono o le SNPF, Papalii Panoa Tavita Moala – Vaega 07
