7 Jul 2014

Associate minister in Samoa faces arrest

7:44 pm on 7 July 2014

Samoa police have issued a warrant for the arrest of the associate minister of trade, commerce and industry, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him.

The minister failed to appear at the Supreme Court for mention on four charges including fraud, falsifying accounts, and theft.

He is facing charges over a complaint filed to the police involving a company called Grand Oceania.

Police say more than 30 thousand US dollars is involved in the allegations.

Guilty... Samoa's Associate Minister for Trade and Commerce, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him.

Guilty... Samoa's Associate Minister for Trade and Commerce, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him. Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

The case is rescheduled for mention on Monday next week.

Muagututagata was recently discharged without conviction in a case also involving the deputy prime minister.

They had faced driving charges and failing to comply with the use of a breathalyzer.