19 Apr 2012

Former Samoa MP Toluono jailed over land deal forgery

12:02 pm on 19 April 2012

A former MP in Samoa, Toluono Feti Toluono, has been jailed for five years and six months after he was found guilty of 15 charges of false pretence, forgery and uttering forged documents either as a principal, instigator or abettor.

The charges relate to the purchase of two parcels of freehold lands belonging to two women and their families who live in New Zealand.

The judge said the defendant was highly educated and experienced to became the CEO of the government's Electric Power Corporation for 13 years.

Toluono's co-defendant, Vaselisa Stowers, who pleaded guilty last year, has been released from jail on parole after serving half of her one-year sentence.

It is the first time criminal charges have been laid over forgeries of deeds of conveyance to deprive the owners of their lands.

The defence lawyer for Toluono says he will file an appeal against the conviction and sentence.