8 Aug 2008

Suspended Samoa deputy registrar denies links to files going missing

3:29 pm on 8 August 2008

The suspended deputy registrar of the District Court in Samoa, Tusa Latu Kioa, says he has played no role in the disappearance of court files.

He was suspended but denies any links to the fact that files have gone missing, saying he has ever seen them.

The CEO of the Ministry of Justice and Courts administration, Masinalupe Tusipa, has said four criminal case files have gone missing.

According to the CEO, the files relate to an alleged burglary and a theft.

They relate to incidents several years ago when thousands of dollars were stolen from an office of a Japanese contractor involved in the construction of a multimillion dollar extension of the National University of Samoa.

The deputy registrar has called for an inquiry into the ministry for the matter to be thoroughly investigated.