Member of Parliament Maulolo Tavita found in Contempt of Court

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 24 December 2024 – The Supreme Court has found Sagaga No 2 Member of Parliament, Maulolo Tavita Amosa guilty of contempt of court.

Also found guilty of contempt are Ututaaloga Charlie Ulia, Fata Rokeni and Fata Vaafai Tolutasi of Afega.

The court ‘s decision was delivered today by His Honour the Chief Justice, Satiu Simativa Perese.

The contempt of court stemmed from Maulolo and others refusal to comply with the Court’s orders to stop evicting Leauvaa people residing on disputed lands or conducting any work on the disputed lands between Afega and the people of Leauvaa.

“I am satisfied the evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt the Respondents led by Maulolo Tavita Amosa, Ututaaloga Charlie Ulia, Fata Roketi and Fata Vaafai Tolutasi, who have all had the chance to be heard, have committed contempt of this court’s orders dated 11 October 2024,” said Chief Justice Perese.

The decision further stated that Maulolo’s admission that it is his and Afega’s stated intent to continue to evict the people of Leauva’a pierces any veil that the Respondents are not responsible for the actions of those who are carrying out the intimidation, threats and inflicting damage.

CLICK for Full Decision: Lauano & Ors v Amosa & Ors (Contempt of Court Judgment)

Chief Justice Perese directed that a copy of his decision be handed over to the Police Commissioner to consider whether a breach of the Arms Ordinance 1960 has occurred, and whether the reports of a firearm being discharged are in breach of section 191 of the Crimes Act 2013.

He said under that section of the Crimes Act, a person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years who with intent to intimidate or annoy any other person, by discharge of firearms, alarms or attempts to alarm any person in any dwelling house.

He also made an order that a copy of his judgement be forwarded to the Parliament Speaker because it is a finding of contempt of court against a person who is a sitting MP.

This case is a longstanding dispute over lands between Afega, Leauvaa, Tuanai and Levi and some of the issues are still pending in court.