A defendant yet to stand trial over charges of conspiracy to murder a senior politician is facing additional charges of threatening words in a separate incident. 

Talalelei Pauga was taken in by the police questioning last Friday and was slapped with an additional charge before he was released on bail. 

The complainant is Autagavaia Upa who alleged Pauga discharged a gun at Lalovaea two weeks ago and later uttered threatening words at him. He later filed a complaint with the police claiming he feared for his life and had to live elsewhere for his protection.

Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the allegations of discharging a firearm by Pauga in Lalovaea are still under investigation with the police looking into recovering the weapon to assist in their work. 

Auapaau noted the police did oppose Pauga's bail but the final call to release him on bail was made by the Court Registrar. 

He is scheduled to appear in court next week and the police are continuing its investigation into allegations of a firearm in his possession that was allegedly discharged. 

Augatavaia has expressed his frustration over the release of Pauga on bail saying this means he can't return to Apaula Heights where he works and resides. 

He said he has to stay in Savaii until the matter is resolved and dealt with in court. 

Pauga was extradited from Australia to answer to charges of conspiracy to murder former Prime Minister and MP for Leoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in 2019. 

Three co-defendants are currently serving imprisonment terms for conspiring to murder Tuilaepa. Pauga has maintained his innocence and denied the charges against him and has been on bail. No hearing date has been set yet.