A 35-year-old man appeared in the Supreme Court on Monday to answer 29 charges of sexual relations with a girl under 16 years.

Asi Mafua, represented by Alex Su'a pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

Judge Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma adjourned this matter for a hearing for a week commencing 30 June this year.

According to the allegations by the prosecution, the defendant met the victim on Facebook and from thereon in early 2024 they had a relationship.

It was stated that the defendant had sexual intercourse with the victim on many occasions which led up to the victim being pregnant.

Another case of similar offending that was mentioned in the Supreme Court is of an uncle who alleged to have sexual intercourse with his niece.

It was revealed that the victim consented to the sexual relationship with the uncle because she was offered a cell phone and money in return.

The defendant, represented by Luaipou Ann Matalasi pleaded guilty to five charges of sexual connections with a family member.

He is out on bail with conditions to sign at the police station every Friday until sentencing on 26 March.

Since the beginning of court in February more cases involving sexual connections with girls underage have been mentioned in the Supreme Court.

Most of these cases involves guardians and relatives of the victims who are charged for the offences.