Attorney General

The government suspended the Attorney General and the Clerk of Parliament two weeks ago saying it did not have trust or confidence them.

The prime minister said she also did not accept Savalenoa's submission that neither she nor the Head of State have the legal authority to suspend or dismiss the Attorney General.

Savalenoa suggested that the prime minister could not make such a decision because having been the subject of some of the court cases decided over the last few months, Fiame was subject to bias.

The release demanded the judges appointed to hear an election appeal be disqualified because of, it was claimed, the judges' alleged potential conflicts of interest and potential favouritism.

"There is now substantive evidence before our office that is questioning the appearance of impartiality and integrity of the Judiciary presiding over this matter," the statement said.

The release added it is also apparent that the FAST party leader is a close relative of the Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese.

A statement from the AG’s Office said Mr Pauga is one of the three defendants, who have been charged with the offence of ‘conspiracy to commit murder’.

The statement said ‘Conspiracy to commit murder’ is a serious offence under section 106 of the Crimes Act 2013, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

“There is sufficient evidence to support the charge against Mr Pauga and he must be brought back to Samoa to stand trial.”

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum gave a statement to police on Monday.

Police confirmed the Attorney General visited its Criminal Investigation Department in Suva to give his statement.

When approached by the media, Sayed-Khaiyum said everyone should let due process take its course.

He accused the media of interfering with the process.

Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro, said investigators would compile a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The formal complaint was received by the AG from a concerned member of the public and duly referred to the police.
The allegation is that the individual, publicly stated with reference to the current vaccination drive "I'll be here to mop up your mess. Enjoy your killing spree."
The AG confirmed that the person who had previously been warned by the Police, has been charged and his bail is opposed for risk of reoffending.
He is therefore in custody until the first available Court date.      

Sessions acted after it emerged that he had failed at his Senate confirmation hearing to disclose two pre-election meetings with Russia's ambassador to Washington, at a time when Moscow was accused of interfering in the presidential race.

"I have decided to recuse myself from any existing or future investigations of any matters related in any way to the campaigns for President of the United States," Sessions told reporters.

The development comes amid a standoff between the attorney general's office and the public prosecutor's office over the suspension of the director of prosecutions.

The suspension of Acting Director of NPO, Ms Muriel Lui, is pursuant to sections 11(4), 11 (7) and 11(8) of the NPO Act 2015 and the appointment of the Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff, as Acting Director of the National Prosecution Office is pursuant to Article 41A of the Constitution.

A statement said Cabinet has also resolved to appoint a Tribunal to evaluate the performance of Ms Lui and the suspended Director of NPO, Mauga Precious Chang.

RNZ reports the case relates to a family land dispute hearing in which she brought an appeal against a Supreme Court decision.

Leulua'ialii is suing for exemplary and general damages for hurt and humiliation.

The first defendant is a New Zealand based judge of the Court of Appeal, Robert Lloyd Fisher, who is being sued for two alleged breaches of the lawyer's constitutional rights.

The defendants are seeking to have the matter struck out.

Photo:  New Zealand based lawyer Leulua'ialii Olinda Woodroffe