27 Aug 2019

Court hearing in Samoa adjourned over alleged death threat

7:09 pm on 27 August 2019

Samoa's acting chief justice has adjourned a civil hearing after a New Zealand-based lawyer, Josephine Fuimaono Sapolu, representing one of the parties was unable to return for the case because of a death threat against her.

Unasa Iuni Sapolu

Unasa Iuni Sapolu Photo: RNZI/ Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Her mother and lawyer, Unasa Iuni Sapolu, who appeared on her daughter's instructions, has told the court the death threat is against the whole family.

She did not say who is behind the threat.

The judge questioned if the threat was credible or just nonsense on social media.

Unasa said the police have been informed about the threat.

However, the police in Samoa said they were waiting for evidence from the complainant before they will undertake any investigation.

Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the civil hearing on 9 September.

The civil proceeding is a strike out motion by the former Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai, who is one of the defendants in the Samoa Solidarity International group's legal action over the Land Registration Act.