Murder accused Muaau Pokati denies telling cop to shoot him

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 02 May 2026: The man accused of killing Detective Sergeant Peniamina Perite, has denied asking Police Constable Jordan Sale to shoot him when the officer caught up with Pokati on the day the late detective sergeant was shot.

Sale gave evidence that when he came face to face with Muaau Pokati Tu’u, he pulled out his gun and pointed it at Pokati who was approaching him with a knife.

“I called out to him to put the knife down,” said Jordan.

He said Pokati swore at him and called out “e te fia ulavale” and continued walking towards Jordan.

Jordan said he then discharged the gun to the ground as a warning and ordered Pokati to drop the knife and lie down on the ground, but Pokati responded by telling Jordan to shoot him.

Defence counsel Maposua Tanya Toailoa put to Jordan that Pokati never said those words, but Jordan insisted he did.

“Did you compile your report on the same day Pokati was arrested?” asked Mapusua.

“Yes” said Jordan.

“Then why is what Pokati said about shooting him not in the report?” asked Maposua.

“I don’t remember, maybe I forgot but he said it verbally,” said Jordan.

Inconsistent evidence on where Pokati was found
Jordan testified that he was the one who found Pokati at Tanumalala, but former police constable Tavete Muavae said Pokati was found at Nofoalii-uta.

Jordan said on 23 July 2024, they returned to Nofoalii in search of Pokati and when they could not find him there, they followed intel information to try Tanumalala where his first ex-wife lived.

Jordan and two other police officers then went to Tanumalala and while two checked out the plantation. Jordan searched the first wife’s house after she admitted that Pokati did come by asking for food.

More police officers arrived and as they spoke with the first wife, Jordan noted that she kept looking at the bush behind the house which raised suspicion.

Jordan then decided to go into the bush, but before he did, he asked his colleagues that if something happened to him, tell his family that he loves them.

The confrontation
“I continued walking then stopped as if someone told me to stop,” he said.

He stood still, and about 5 meters from where Jordan stood, Pokati stood up from where he was hiding and walked towards Jordan.

Jordan said Pokati was armed with a knife.

Jordan said he ordered Pokati to drop the knife and lie down but he refused. Jordan then discharged the gun twice which prompted Pokati to obey.

He then handcuffed Pokati then called out to other police officers.

Tavetes Muavaes’ evidence was a bit different from Jordan’s.

He said as they searched the area, they saw someone running and realised it was Pokati then chased after him.

“Pokati stopped after Jordan discharged the gun,” said Tavete.

The delay help
On Monday 22 July 2024, Constable Pisa Seia was one of the two police officers who went with the late Detective Sergeant Mamea Peniamina Perite to detain Pokati on after the Sunday night shooting.

They were told Pokati was at his plantation at Nofoalii-uta and one of the village boys travelled with the team to point out the location of the plantation.

When they reached the place, they split up and Peniamina and the other officer walked towards the plantation from the front. Seia was instructed to come around the back.

Seia said he heard someone screaming and he ran to the frontside of the plantation where he met his colleague running towards him mumbling that Peniamina was hurt.

“He was shaking and stuttering at the same time saying that Pokati tried to shoot him too, so he panicked and ran,” said Seia.

He said because there was no phone service in the area, they ran further down the road to get help from nearby families who were afraid to get involved. So Seia said he continued running to find a spot where a phone service could be detected.

He managed to get through the police headquarters and told them what happened and to send backup.

“We waited about 20 minutes after the call for assistance,” Seia said.

Presiding Justice Leutele Mata Tuatagaloa intervened and asked if they were armed when they went to detain Pokati.

“No,” he said.

She asked if police carry arms when they attend such cases, but Seia said there is a special Tactical Operation Sector (TOS) authorised to be armed especially during raids.

The late detective was found kneeling holding a 12-rugger riffle
Seia said when backup arrived, it was Assistant Commissioner Leausalilo Norman Meni who led the team to the scene of the crime.

Jordan was part of the team, and he explained that they found Peniamina in a kneeling position leaning forward towards the barbed wire fence and hugging the 22-rugger riffle.

“E maua atu o tootuli e pei e faō agai I luma I le pa uaea ma o lo’o afisi le fana 22 rugger riffle,” said Jordan.

He also said the riffle he was holding had a bullet inside its chamber ready to be discharged.

“O autafa o ia ua momoe i lalo le vao e foliga mai sa taafifili ai nisi i se tauiviga,” he said.

“We found a pocketknife, a cap and bullet shells not far from where Peniamina was found indicating that the gun was discharged not far from Peniamina,” said Jordan.

Asked what kind of gun it was, Jordan said it was 12 rugger riffle and Peniamina was holding only part of the gun.

The trial continues.