Man who skipped country left two passports with the Court

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 04 August 2018, 12:00AM

The Ministry of Justice and Courts and Administration (M.J.C.A.) cannot explain how a businessman left the country when they have both his passports.

M.J.C.A. Chief Executive Officer, Papali’i John Afele Taimalelagi, said that as part of a Court matter involving Tui Vaai Jr., he was told to surrender his travel documents. 

And he did.

 “To date, we still have the two passports that were surrendered to the Court as part of his bail conditions,” said Papali’i. 

“How he left it has nothing to do with us because we still have the passports in the Court’s possession.

 “The passports were of New Zealand government and the Samoan Government,” said Papali’i “and it is within the Court’s possession I can assure you that.”

Attempts to get a comment from the Immigration Office yesterday were unsuccessful. The Chief Executive Officer, Agafili Shem Leo told the Weekend Observer that a  “press release is forthcoming on this matter.”

This was not received at press time. 

Last week, the District Court issued an arrest warrant for Tui Vaai Jr when he failed to appear for sentencing. 

According to the arrest warrant, Tui Vaai of Si’usega and Fasito’otai was implicated on a deception charge. 

The warrant states the accused sold Lot 35 in Plan 11388 to Laufau Saleimoa Amosa, which was already sold to a Victori Lui, thereby obtained $10,000 and causing losses to Saleimoa, a female of Vaitele and Auala Savaii. Upon his arrest he will remain in custody until his court appearance. 

As reported earlier, Assistant Chief Immigration Officer, Siaopo Pese confirmed recently that his office has begun an internal investigation into how the accused flew out while a Departure Prohibition Order (D.P.O.) banning him from travel was in place. 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 04 August 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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