23 Aug 2006

Bribery charges laid against Samoan election candidate

9:52 am on 23 August 2006

The Samoa Party leader Su'a Rimoni Ah Chong will appear in the District Court today to answer two criminal charges of bribery and one of treating.

The charges were filed last Friday two days after a Supreme Court ruling in which the former broadcasting minister Mulitalo Siafausa Vui was found guilty of bribery.

His lawyer has filed the charges on his behalf.

Mulitalo has six witnesses ready to give evidence.

Three will testify regarding cash which was handed out to voters.

Two other witnesses will testify regarding a Television set and one about a cheque.

Meanwhile Su'a has told SBC Television that he respects Mulitalo's rights under the constitution in filing criminal charges against him, but says the game is over.