12 May 2011

Bribery claim against Samoa police minister dropped

6:48 pm on 12 May 2011

Samoa's Minister of Police and Prisons, Sala Fata Pinati, will not have to go before court for an election bribery charge.

The private prosecution, scheduled for next month, has been withdrawn by the complainant, the Tautua Samoa party's unsuccessful candidate, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio.

Our correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio says the parties have resolved the matter

"It's been agreed between him and the minister of police, that everything from now on, within the constituency and the village, he will be working hand in hand with the minister as one of the chiefs of the village of Leauva'a."

Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia says there are two more electoral petitions, of the original ten, yet to go before the court.