18 May 2011

Samoa govt minister returns to work after election petition against him fails

8:29 am on 18 May 2011

Samoa's Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Magele Mauiliu Magele, has returned to work after an election petition against him failed in court.

Magele was accused of bribery when he allegedly gave one thousand US dollars to an agent to distribute to several voters.

The petition against him had been filed by Tautua Samoa party candidate, Pauli Pipi Tevita Tariu.

However the electoral court said it was not convinced or satisfied with the evidence supporting the allegations.

Magele is the second ruling party MP to have been cleared of bribery and corrupt allegations following March's general election.

Last Friday, the court dismissed a petition brought by an unsuccessful HRPP candidate against the Associate Minister of Police and Prisons, Tuisa Tasi Patea.