Police yet to hand over file

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

The Police have yet to hand over their investigation file on former Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Afamasaga Su’a Onesemo.

This comes six months after Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff, issued a public statement advising of the start of formal police investigation into allegations of corruption against the former C.E.O.

Afamasaga’s services have since been terminated by the Public Service Commission citing breach of contract. 

Responding to queries from the Samoa Observer on the status of their investigation, Lemalu said his Office does not intend to “rush” the process. 

“In response to your question, the matter will be like all other investigations, if evidence supports charges, they will be filed, if not then there will be no charges, but this process cannot be rushed,” Lemalu said. 

“I have not received a file for this matter as yet. However, I am told the matter is still an open and active investigation, and a file will be forwarded to this Office to review once it is completed.” 

In relation to an application in Court by Afamasaga’s lawyer for his client to travel, Lemalu said the former C.E.O. had sought temporary leave to travel for family reasons. 

“Given that he is not formally charged, this return travel request was granted on a limited bases until the end of this month,” he said. 

Last month lawyer Fepulea’i Patrick Fepulea’i, who is acting for for Afamasaga, wrote to the Public Service Commission seeking an explanation on the grounds for his client’s termination from the public service. 

“We received the termination letter but to date we don’t know why? We have not been given any grounds for the termination and so we are waiting on the grounds of termination."

 “Once we receive the grounds, only then we will determine what our next move will be,” Afamasaga said.

The Public Service Commission has not responded to emails from this newspaper seeking their comments on the matter. 

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

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