A 70-year-old matai, who was charged with attempted murder in connection with the case of a hog-tied man, has been granted bail after spending over a week in custody. 

Aitauia Ioasa Lemau, who appeared before Supreme Court Justice, Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma earlier this week was represented by lawyer Alex Sua with the Attorney General's Office lawyer, Iliganoa Atoa as the prosecutor. 

The prosecution did not oppose bail for the elderly man, given that he had no previous conviction with the charges against him already finalised. 

The elderly matai of Lefagaoalii is facing charges of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, and being armed with a dangerous weapon. 

The defendant was identified by the Police through video footage which captured the incident where another elderly matai, So’oalo Manu was carried away from his home. 

He is accused of cutting So’oalo’s neck with a knife.  The defendant has yet to enter his plea and will appear again in Court.

Aitauia is one of 12 men who were charged by the Police last month, following an incident where the 73-year-old So’oalo was hog-tied by the villagers and carried out of his home for allegedly defying the village. 

Those being charged include six matai and six untitled men, who have been released on bail pending their court appearance at the Tuasivi Court House. Aitauia is the only villager who is facing the more serious charge of attempted murder. 

So’oalo in an interview with E.T. Live reportedly said that he has forgiven his village over how he was treated. He claimed that while the untitled men were carrying him, they continued to drop him on the road as they walked through the village.