Samoa’s Attorney General has recalled a scathing press release it sent out yesterday questioning the integrity of the country’s judiciary.
That release said that the AG was filing an application with the Supreme court to disqualify the judges appointed to hear an appeal by the Electoral Commissioner and Aliimalemanu Alofa scheduled for next Monday, May 31.
“The reasons for this application is to disqualify the Judges from sitting in this Court of Appeal given their potential conflicts of interest and potential favoritism,” said the release.
Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese has told media that he along with Justice Fepulea’i Ameperosa Roma and Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren would be presiding over the matters highlighted by the AG.
The release from the AG’s Office said, “There is now substantive evidence before our office that is questioning the appearance of impartiality and integrity of the Judiciary presiding over this matter.”
The statement also mentioned there it is also apparent that the Leader for FAST, Fiame Mataafa is a close relative of the Chief Justice of Samoa.
Last evening, the government media office sent out the following one sentence statement from the Attorney General.
“The AG recalls this Press Release as it was not authorised and does not reflect our view of the Honourable Judiciary. We apologize profusely for this unfortunate situation.”
