Witnesses in Vaimauga 3 election petition claim MP gave money to entice voters

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 11 June 2026: Four witnesses who gave evidence today in the election petition against Vaimauga 3 Member of Parliament, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai, claimed that the MPs intention when he gave money at a meeting at Leone on the 20 April was to entice voters to vote for him.

The four witnesses all attended Lautimuia’s meeting held at Lealasola’s residence at Leone, and all testified that Lautimuia gave $500 to the family after the meeting.

The witnesses were Aloseta Lavea, Gabriel Tapumanaia, Vitolio Tapumanaia and Asofa Tapumanaia.

They all claimed that as the meeting was about to finish, Lautimuia asked everyone present to turn off their phones as he did not want what he was about to say to be heard from outside.

Lautimuia’s lawyer Leiataualesa Komisi Koria put to the witnesses that because there was no food or drink prepared by Lautimuia, he decided to give them money for food.

He also put to the witnesses that the money was a traditional courtesy – faaaloalo mo le faaaloalo for accepting Lautimuia into their home and letting him speak.

However, they consistently stuck to their belief that the money was to bribe the voters.

Vaimauga 3 witness Asofa Tapumaiana after giving evidence in court.

Witness contradicted own evidence
Aloseta Lavea was the first witness, and he claimed in his sworn affidavit that he found out about Lautimuia’s meeting at the Lealasola’s residence through someone named Mona.

However, during his verbal testimony, he said it was Pa’o Savali who told him about the meeting and who was with him at the meeting.

He struggled in his evidence then admitted that he spoke too soon in his affidavit and that it was Mona who informed him of the meeting.

He then apologised to the court.

The other part of his evidence relates to the $500 he claimed Lautimuia gave them.

“Did Lautimuia said he was not there to entice voters?” defence counsel Leiataualesa asked.

“Yes” Lavea replied.

“Did Lautimuia said it was your free choice to vote?” asked counsel.

“Yes” said Lavea.

Leiataualesa put to Lavea that in the Samoan culture, the fa’aaloalo i le fa’aalolo is a give and take to which Lavea agreed.

“Do you agree then that what Lautimuia did by giving the money was culturally proper,” he asked.

“Yes” said Lavea.

Counsel then asked Lavea to explain what Lautimuia’s campaign talk was about and Lavea said it was about building roads then said that Taioaliiseu Fiti did not have to leave HRPP in-order to get incentives from the Government.

Petitioner Taioaliiseu Fiti Aimaasu greeting supporters outside court.

Witness took money despite it being a political influence
Another witness, Vitolio Tapumanaia also claimed that the $500 was given under political influence and that was the stance he took throughout his testimony.

Justice Loau Donald Kerslake asked him that if he knew it was given under a political influence, why did he accept his share of $20 from the $500.

“A misi sia mea maua fua,” “Shall I miss out on a freebie,” responded Tapumanaia.

“Even if it is wrong and not appropriate, why took it?” asked Justice Kerslake.

Rather than responding to Justice Kerslake, he asked a question of his own.

“Aisea e le o’o atu ai i aso uma?” “Why did he not come daily?” referring to Lautimuia.

He said that meeting was the first time Lautimuia approached them at Leone even though they are related.

Witness admit he asked Lautimuia for money
The last witness for today, Asofa Tapumanaia admitted that he asked Lautimuia for money after the meeting.

He confirmed the $500 was given for food and also confirmed that Lautimuia asked them to turn off their phones before placing $500 on the table.

When Lautimuia left the house, he saw that some of his relatives followed Lautimuia outside then stopped beside his car.

He said he saw Lautimuia gave money to them.

“I stepped in and said I should have money too and I was given $50,” he said.

He also received $20 from the distribution of the $500 given to those present during Lautimuia’s meeting.

Asofa also confirmed that all candidates who competed for the Vaimauga 3 seat held campaign meetings at Lealasola’s residence but only Lautimuia gave money.

On the issue of Lautimuia asking people to turn off their phones, he confirmed that it happened but could not remember if anyone was recording or playing games at the same time.

There are 12 witnesses for the Petitioner Taioaliiseu, and they are the same witnesses for the counter petition by Lautimuia.

The case continues on allegations of election bribery against Lautimuia.