There are a few things that need to be highlighted. The first one is the elaborate attempt to delay a court case and the other is a senior bureaucrat saying there is a law but no one is enforcing it.

In the case of the infamous Sam Sua and others, the application to the court was to delay the trial for at least a year because the overseas lawyers had no free time this year.

The court in its decision should be applauded for ensuring that the trial is a speedy one and that it is not dictated by legal counsels who do not even practice in our jurisdiction. It has never been heard of that lawyers dictate when a trial date is set.

If the lawyers had a full schedule, then why did they even consider representing the accused persons? That itself is very unethical for any legal practitioner to do in the first place. The second thing to consider is why the accused who cannot afford overseas lawyers are opting for one.

To say that they have not collected enough money yet is truly not the concern of the court as it was highlighted in its decision.

It also seems that other accused in this matter, Sivai Kepi Mamea, Member of Parliament for Salega No.1, Fepuleai Faimata Sua, Lise Marie Schmidt and Lio Fa’ataumalama are more than happy to have Sam Sua stay in custody for a whole year.

The elaborate attempt to delay the trial to scatter the witnesses can be seen from miles away. As highlighted by the court, some of the witnesses have been banished by their villages and some are being picked on social media by supporters of the accused.

The whole idea of a justice system is fairness and that things get done in the right manner. Attempting to delay the trial is unfair, unjust and above all, not ethical at all. To hire overseas lawyers is also a punch in the gut to our qualified legal practitioners who are more than well versed with Samoa’s law but if the accused can afford overseas lawyers, it is their privy.

Lawyers have an obligation to the law. They are not only to practice it but abide by it. Just because they know the law better than most people, does not give them the authority to bend it so it can suit their clients.

Hopefully, in the future as we head to trial in a matter where a deceased young man’s name has been used to allegedly drag people into an alleged conspiracy goes without hiccups. If the accused are not guilty of the charges, the evidence will be in their favour and they will be acquitted.

There is no need to play dirty.

The second thing reported by the newspaper that is of concern is the law regarding compulsory education. The law states that all children have to be in school but as the days go by, more and more children are seen on the streets.

Parents are using their children, using their innocence to sell items they buy from a shop only to resell it to people at a higher price. Parents sit around the corner and make their children approach customers. Instead of selling on the streets, they need to be in classrooms.

They need to be getting an education because that is the only way out of the cycle of poverty most of these children are in.

It is sad that police officers will just drive or walk past these children and not enforce the law. This was also highlighted by the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Education, Aeau Christopher Hazelman.

If a law is in existence, then it should be enforced. Parents of these children need to be charged and taken to court, then perhaps the message will go through. There should also be political will to make education free for children who live in poverty.

Sadly, there is more of a political will to make statements about education in an international forum but not enough to take any action on the ground.

What use are the district development grants if these children cannot be taken off the streets and put into schools?

Think about where our nation is heading and if we are prioritising the right things.

Have a blessed long weekend.