Ministry of Justice

Papali'i John Taimalelagi made the accusation in a letter to the prime minister protesting his removal.

Papali'i was sacked in May after the commission investigated a number of allegations of misconduct against him.

But the prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi's advice was Papali'i accept the decision or risk having what he called 'garbage' coming up if the matter went to court.

Alatise Le'afa Vitale is already in custody for alleged breaches of his release from jail six years ago.

Alatise was convicted alongside his father Leafa Vitale and Toi Aukuso who were both former government ministers almost two decades ago, for the assassination of the Minister of Works, Luagalau Leva'ula Kamu.

This week Alatise appeared in court for a bail application hearing but the probation service served Alatise with a report recalling him to jail and suspending his parole conditions.

Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi told the Samoa Observer that the law gives the Minister of Justice, Fa'aolesa Katopau Ainu'ū, the authority to direct the movement of Court files.

The newspaper had asked why the Government had not acted in relation to Fa'aolesā's role in the removal of files.

An investigation was launched by the Public Service Commission after a ministry driver reported files had been removed and taken to the offices of the minister.