A Chinese businessman who claims to be a Samoan citizen was issued a Departure Prohibition Order and other orders by the Supreme Court for an unpaid $50,000 lease. 

Chi Yuan Liu of China and Salelologa leased a property in Fatuvalu, Safune Savaii to operate a shop. 

However, a dispute over the lease arrangement led to an eviction order against him following a complaint from a matai and former cabinet minister Safuneituuga Paaga Neri. 

Safuneituuga filed a lawsuit against Liu and sought payment for an unpaid lease of $55,700 for the use of the family property. 

But ever since the lawsuit was finalised and ruled upon by Supreme Court Justice, Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke in favour of the complainant in September last year, no payment was made. 

Safuneituuga urged the businessman who now operates a leased shop in Salelologa to comply with court orders noting the stress and hassle caused by the events. 

She added Liu’s agents or those who work for him continue trespassing on their family property in Fatuvalu when she is not around. 

In January this year, the court took a further step of issuing a Departure Prohibition Order against Liu to prevent him from fleeing the country so he paid what he owed. 

Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese granted the stop order for six months. 

In response, Liu alleged the complainant should be the one to pay him pointing out he already spent around $60,000 for extension works on the shop he leased in Fatuvalu. 

He told the Samoa Observer he already paid the lease to the relatives of the complainant insisting the dispute was an internal matter between the complainant and her family members. 

Liu added he is aware of a stop order against him and will seek legal assistance to clear his name. 

He maintained he would not make any further payments until the money he spent on the extension in Fatuvalu was paid back to him. The complainant claimed that the extension work on the property was done without her prior permission.