A Samoa lawyer and unsuccessful candidate in last year's general election, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, is standing trial on bribery charges.
Tuala Ponifasio, left, at court with supporters Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
The charges were brought in a private prosecution by five electors of the Gaga'emauga number one constituency.
The defendant is accused of giving money to some of the electors and if found guilty he may face a custodial sentence or a fine.
The private prosecution case, which started on Wednesday, has proceeded after the defendant had failed in his efforts to have the case withdrawn.
A reliable source said Tuala, and some of his relatives, had made a traditional apology or ifoga and presented fine mats and money to some of the constituency's chiefs but it was not accepted.
Meanwhile, the first two witnesses have testified that in a gathering before the election the defendant had given them money through a member of his election committee and offered to provide apple picking jobs in New Zealand for some of the voters.
