A former Samoa National Provident Fund C.E.O. says he will not apologise to the suspended Lepa M.P. and followers of the Siusega Catholic Church.

Papali'i Tavita Moala, who was also a defeated candidate in last year’s general election, has been in a war of words with Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi in the last week, after he claimed in a press conference the former prime minister allegedly used 15 acres of land belonging to the Fund as a price for a church-run raffle.

(Tuilaepa has argued that it was 10 acres of land and not 15).

Saying that he could not remember the exact year the request was made by Tuilaepa when he was prime minister, Papali'i alleged that the land was not paid by the church when it was given to them. 

He recalled that the request was made some time around 2006 – before the Government at the time under Tuilaepa's leadership – decided against extending his contract for another three year term. 

According to Papali'i, his contract at the Fund ended in 2007 and he further claimed that by that time the Catholic Church at Siusega did not pay for the land that was given to them.

Papali'i admitted that as the C.E.O. at that time, he did not have the power to say no to a request from the prime minister so the matter was passed on to the S.N.P.F. Board for deliberations. 

However, over the weekend the suspended M.P. refuted the claims by Papali'i during his weekly special programme with TV1. 

Tuilaepa said the claims by Papali'i were not true and that the 10 acres of land had been paid for by members of the Catholic Church at Siusega. 

He said what Papali'i had announced on several media outlets in the country has tarnished the good name of the Catholic Church at Siusega, and added that the church’s lawyer has written to Papali'i, giving him two weeks to publicly apologise to the church for ruining its reputation.

Failure by Papali'i to apologise to the church could see him being sued for defamation, according to Tuilaepa.

But on Wednesday Papali'i said he has no plans to make a public apology and said he does feel sorry for the church and is mindful of its reputation.

"I do feel sorry for what has happened," Papali'i said. "But I will not make a public apology because I am talking about facts. 

“If the church wishes to take me to court then so be it. I am ready to provide evidence to back what I had said."

When asked whether he is pursuing the legal challenge he had previously announced against Tuilaepa for defamation, Papali'i said "no."

"That was initially the plan," he said. "I am someone who fights for what is right and I am not scared to fight for the truth. 

“But it can cost me money if I do (pursue his legal challenge against Tuilaepa). 

"However, now that they are threatening to take me to court, so be it. I will be ready with evidence to prove what I am saying."