13 Dec 2011

Former MP on trial for fraud in Samoa

5:32 pm on 13 December 2011

The trial of Toluono Feti, a former opposition MP in Samoa, on charges of theft and obtaining land fraudulently is underway.

The prosecution is calling ten witnesses including a member of the Council of Deputies, Tuimalealiifano Va'aleto'a Eti, who was the lawyer involved in the transfer of land deeds to the defendant.

The land involved in the case belongs to two families residing in New Zealand who, according to the prosecution, found during a visit to Samoa in 2007 and 2008, that their lands had been transferred and registered under the former MP's name.

The case was first heard in a civil court hearing where it was proved that fraud was involved.