court case

A government statement said Mr Maamau extended warm greetings, provided counseling and heard of the needs of the men who are in three different prisons in Italy.

He told the former seamen with the company Hamburg Sud, to be obedient, patient and strong while serving their sentences.

His co-defendants include two other directors and an employee of the Nonu juice company as well as his wife.

The trial is scheduled for July next year.

It comes after their defence lawyer entered a not guilty plea against 233 criminal charges.

The former minister is facing 161 charges including obtaining and causing loss by deception, theft and forgery.

The former president of the Journalist Association of Samoa, Apulu Lance Polu is facing 51 charges, while the other director Martin Schwalger is only charged with one count of forgery.

The charges were brought in a private prosecution by five electors of the Gaga'emauga number one constituency.

The defendant is accused of giving money to some of the electors and if found guilty he may face a custodial sentence or a fine.

RNZ reports the private prosecution case, which started on Wednesday, has proceeded after the defendant had failed in his efforts to have the case withdrawn.

RNZ reports defense counsel Semi Leung Wai confirmed to the court last week that they have been served with the claim motion, and asked for an adjournment.

Also included in the lawsuit is the SRU Chief Executive Officer Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai.

McGrath claims wrongful dismissal and that SRU had defamed him.

His service was terminated after the Sevens team failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics and still had over a year of his contract to run.

RNZ reports Fuiavailili Egon Keil is facing four criminal charges over an unlawful arrest by the police of a man at the Fugalei market last year including one charge of unlawful detention, one of perjury, as well as one of providing false statements and disorderly conduct.

This time the National Prosecution office, which is temporarily under the supervision of the Attorney General, has asked for the case to be adjourned until an overseas lawyer arrives to represent the prosecution.

Who that lawyer will be is not known and the hearing is postponed until November 11th.

Earlier Lemalu Herman Retzlaff engaged two lawyers to prosecute the Director of Public Prosecutions, who faces charges of dangerous driving, and Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil, on charges including perjury, unlawful detention, providing false statements and disorderly conduct.

According to RNZ, the government said for reasons of fairness and equality, it was important an objective view was sought for the cases.

However in a statement the NPO said prosecution powers under the Constitution have not been delegated.

RNZ reports Fuiavailili Egon Keil is facing one charge each of perjury, unlawful detention, providing false statements, and disorderly conduct.

The charges were laid following an inquiry over a complaint about an unlawful arrest during a police drug raid at the Fugalei market last year.

Fuiavailili Egon Keil's lawyer said the National Prosecution Office which brought charges against him, has not served the charges and trial documents to the defense.

The plaintiff, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, is seeking a court decision to declare void the candidacy of, the Tautua Samoa party's Tu'ula Kiliri Lafi Tuitui.

Tuila'epa claims that his opponent doesn't meet the monotaga or traditional village service requirement under the Electoral Act.