Two men from Faleula village accused of arson have been summoned by the court this week after they failed to appear to answer the charges against them. 

A total of nine men from the village are facing charges of arson related to a warehouse building being burnt down in June this year. 

When the case was called before Supreme Court Judge Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma this week, seven of the nine defendants turned up. 

They are Henry Fretton, Tuaolo Palagi Pii, Vaiao Levasa, Blessed Fretton, Viliamu Fretton, Teofilo Fetaiai Pii and Mauiseaso Teofilo. 

The two defendants who did not show up are Vaialia Paneta and PJ Pii Lepale. 

Justice Roma had queried the men if they wanted a lawyer to represent them. 

In response, one of the defendants said they have filled in a form with the court registrar for legal aid and are waiting to hear back . 

Justice Roma adjourned the matter to next week to allow the police to summon the two other defendants and will also allow the seven other defendants to follow up on their request for legal aid. 

According to the police preliminary report about the incident. the fire is suspected to have started from Molotov cocktails that were thrown from behind the bushes. 

The family of Pese Uele who owns the building is convinced that the incident was not an accident pointing to empty bottles of gasoline that they suspect were used to start the fire.

The offending now the subject of a criminal case stemmed from a confrontation between the M.P. for Sagaga No.1 Loau Keneti Sio and members of his extended family at his home.