Court heard recording of Lautimuia alleged gifting money

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 13 June 2026 – A witness, Miriama Liaina, 32 years of Leonē was present during Lautimuia’s meeting with voters at Lealasola’s residence on 20 April 2026 and she recorded Lautimuia when he gifted $500 to the voters.

Miriama told the court that she did not record all of Lautimua’s presentation but only the last portion of his folasaga.

She told the court that when Lautimuia asked them to turn off their phones, she suspected something was not right then started recording.

The audio was played in court and the court heard Lautimua saying “o le seleni fa’atauva’a lea e fai ai se tou taumafataga o le aso Sa ona o lea e lei saunia mai se taumafataga.”

Miriama said the meeting was on Monday, yet Lautimuia said the money is for taumafataga on Sunday.

Lautimuia’s lawyer Leiataualesa Komisi Koria put to Miriama that the cultural practise of Samoa is the fa’aaloalo i le faaaloalo to which Miriama said she does not know.

She believes that the money given was to entice voters especially when the other three candidates did not give any money during their campaign.

Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma asked why she recorded Lautimuia when he had asked to turn off their phones.

“It is useful to record things like these so it can be used later,” she said.

She was asked if she recorded other candidates and she said “no” because they did not give money.

Witness said giving money is an offence but not accepting it
Alamai Fatu testified that she heard on the radio that it was an offence by any candidate to give money during election campaign, so when Lautimuia gave $500 that day, she knew it was wrong.

Justice Loau Donald Kerslake put to the witness that if she knew it was wrong, why did she accept $20 from the $500 after distribution.

“Because he gave it during the meeting,” said Alamai.

Justice Roma then put to her that if she believes that what Lautimuia did was wrong and an offence, then she too is party to the offence when she accepted the $20.

“I do not know,” she said.

The petitioner in the Vaiamauga 3 electoral petition, Taioaliiseu Fiti Aimaasu and respondent Lautimuia Afoa Uelese Vaai.

Dirty money
Another witness, Tiresa Leaumoana also claimed that the money was meant for a faatosina yet she also received $20.

She said that Lautimuia was told that they will support him if he competed under the FAST banner, but Lautimuia said “sei uma le paeaiga lea.”

Leiataualesa asked her if she understand the law on giving money during a campaign and accepting money and she said “yes” however, she struggled to understand the questions.

Leiataualesa put to her then that Lautimuia should have been charged then, but the petitioner’s counsel, Magele Leone Sua intervened.

She said the question was unfair but Justice Roma responded that the witness could have said that she did not understand the law then told Magele that she can raise it during re-examination.

Tiresa did not believe in the faaaloalo i le faaaloalo cultural concept and that giving of the $500 was not a cultural practise.

Justice Kerslake then asked Tiresa if she believe the money given was dirty money – tupe ‘ele’elea of which she said “yes.”

“You accepted dirty money; why did not you reject it?” he asked.

She did not respond.

Other candidates also gifted money
63-year-old Filifilia of Matautu claimed that Lautimuia was not the only candidate that gifted money.

She said she also received money from other candidates who competed with Lautimuia in the by-election.

She confirmed that Lautimuia not only gave money but clarified to the voters who met at the Toomatalatai’s meeting house that he was not there to entice the voters then talked about the election and what he can offer should he be successful in the by-election.

Witness said Lautimuia threw money on the floor, then left
Tualagi Leaupepe, 82 years old of Vaoala testified that Lautimuia came to his house on Thursday before the by-election on Friday 1 May 2026.

He said that he and Lautimuia are cousins and he told Lautimua that he and his daughter Amuia Selau Leaupepe were voting for Taioaliiseu Fiti because he is a FAST candidate.

“I told him my other children will vote for him. After we spoke, he then threw money on the floor and left the house,” Tualagi explained.

His testimony was corroborated by his daughter Amuia when she gave evidence.

Tualagi said he was talking to Taioaliiseu on the phone when he saw Lautmuia’s car and he ended the call and went outside as he saw his daughter, Amuia arguing with Lautimuia.

He then took Lautimuia inside the house and they talked before he “threw money on the floor” and left.

Amuia said she was standing not far from where Lautimuia and her father were talking and “I saw Lautimuia drop money on the floor beside my father.”

I told my father to return the money because it was bribery
After Lautimuia left, she approached her father and asked how much and her father said $200.

“I told my father to return the money as that was bribery,” she told the court.

When asked how she knew it was bribery, she said because that was the first time Lautimuia came to their house on the day before the by-election.

However, in her sworn affidavit, nothing was said about her telling her father to return the money because it was bribery.

She said she was not happy when Lautimuia came to the house hence the argument and that she was not aware that her father asked Lautimuia to come to the house.

According to Leaiataulesa, it was during the meeting at the EFKS hall at Vaoala that Tualagi asked Lautimuia to come to the house.