14 Sep 2016

Samoa AG push for foreign prosecutor challenged

3:36 pm on 14 September 2016

The Samoa Government's decision to hire an overseas lawyer to prosecute traffic charges against the Director of Public Prosecution will be heard in court next Monday.

The matter was raised in the district court this week at the first mention of charges against Mauga Precious Chang, including one of negligent driving causing injuries and one of dangerous driving.

Director of the Public Prosecution office in Samoa, Mauga Precious Chang

Director of the Public Prosecution office in Samoa, Mauga Precious Chang. Photo: supplied / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Local lawyer, Brenda Heather Latu, has told the court the powers of the suspended Director of Prosecution have been delegated to her and she will prosecute the charges.

But the New Zealand based lawyer brought in by the Attorney General to prosecute, Satiu Simativa Perese, has disagreed.

The presiding judge, Vaepule Vaemoa Vaai, has referred the arguments to be heard by the Supreme Court next Monday.

Meanwhile the case itself is adjourned until 23rd September for the prosecution to finalise the charges.

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