Lands and Titles Court President

Samoa parliament set to decide future of embattled court president

Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi was commenting following a report of the president, Fepulea'i Attila Ropati, changing his mind, saying he would stay in the job.

He had earlier told the chief justice he would resign after being convicted of assault by the Court of Appeal.

The prime minister said parliament had powers under the constitution to remove a judge by a two thirds majority.

Since the president's conviction in the court of appeal a week ago a government vehicle he had had access to has been returned to the Ministry of Justice and his salary has been stopped.

Samoa Lands and Titles court President pleads guilty to assault

Through his lawyer, Fepulea'i pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting the complainant at a function in December.

However, he denied three charges including one count each of actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm and armed with a dangerous weapon.

The court then set the trial date for the week commencing 23 April.

Fepulea'i is currently on leave with pay to await the outcome of criminal case.