During a bench trial last week in High Court, Rev. Elder Amaama Tofaeono declared that he didn’t commit any wrong doing, including he didn’t commit adultery and claimed that his efforts to correct problems within the Congressional Christian Church of American Samoa have resulted in his ministerial duties being suspended for a period of time and therefore he lost his post as CCCAS General Secretary.

Tofaeono and his wife, Joan Aleluia, who is also an ordained CCCAS minister are defendants in a complaint filed last month by plaintiffs - CCCAS along with Rev. Elders Eveni Mamoe, Leatulagi Faalevao, and Fiti Aofia - who are all ordained CCCAS ministers. Mamoe is chairman of the CCCAS and a member of the CCCAS Au Toeaina (or CCCAS Elders Committee); Aofia is Elders Committee chairman and Faalevao is Elders Committee secretary.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs are seeking to evict the defendants and take back into their possession the one-story home defendants occupy at the CCCAS headquarters at the Kanana Fou compound, after Tofaeono and his wife refused to vacate the premises following a decision earlier this year by the Elders Committee that suspends their ministerial duties for a period of time. The decision automatically removes Tofaeono from his post of Secretary General.

The two-day bench trial — presided over by Acting Associate Justice Elvis P. Patea and assisted by Associate Judges Suapaia Pereira and Satele Lili’o Ali’itai — began last Tuesday. Representing the plaintiffs is Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde, while Tasi Tuiteleleapaga is the legal counsel for Tofaeono and his wife.

The court has since taken the complaint under advisement after hearing verbal testimonies, which included CCCAS General Assembly vice chair Rev. Elder Fa’aeteete Saifoloi. (See yesterday’s edition for details.)

During the second day of trial, witnesses called by the defense included Tofaeono who testified that there is no evidence to support the decision to remove him and his wife from their housing at the Kanana Fou complex nor the decision to suspend their ministerial duties.

Tofaeono, who was last year elected General Secretary told the court, that he didn’t commit adultery, he didn’t abuse his wife or the couple’s daughter and he never gave any verbal statement to the Elders Committee admitting to any wrong doing or allegations against him.

As a matter of fact, he said he has rejected all allegations against him and his wife.

Tofaeono testified that his efforts in trying to correct some of the problems within the CCCAS, has resulted in the Elders Committee decision to suspend his ministerial duties and that has affected his post of General Secretary.

Information presented in court states that only an ordained CCCAS minister could hold the post of General Secretary. But because the Elders Committee has suspended his ministerial duties, it’s automatic that Tofaeono is no longer General Secretary.

In his testimony, Tofaeono flatly denied allegations that the Elders Committee has made against him and therefore also rejects the Elders Committee decision, which he says didn’t give any specific reasons.

He testified that he and his wife were never questioned by the Elders Committee regarding any allegations towards them and they were never given a chance to verbally defend themselves before a meeting of the Elders Committee.

Plaintiffs exhibits presented to the court included correspondence back-and-forth between Tofaeono and the Elders Committee. And the correspondence was also mentioned during the trial.

However, Tofaeono testified that all his letters to the CCCAS General Assembly board were returned. Responding to questions from the plaintiffs’ attorney, Tofaeono says his letters were returned by Saifoloi, Mamoe or the general assembly treasurer.

Tofaeono believes his letters were returned because the general assembly doesn't want the couple to respond to the decision made by the Elders Committee. And because there is no evidence to support the decision, which was not in accordance with the CCCAS constitution. Tofaeono testified that he believes the decision by the Elders Committee is not valid.

He also testified that he was not liked much by senior CCCAS officials, because of his efforts to correct some of the problems with CCCAS. For example, spending out of control on a recent trip off island for Mamoe and wife - who traveled First Class, which cost the CCCAS coffer about $11,000 while church policies requires using a lower fare.

Tofaeono also cited other matters that he was trying to correct in church policies as it appears that Mamoe and Saifoloi are controlling the church operation, when the pair are paid workers for the church.

According to Tofaeono, the CCCAS constitution clearly states that the General Secretary, the Treasurer, and heads of CCCAS districts are the ones responsible for overseeing work and development of the CCCAS. Additionally, the General Secretary oversees all paid church workers.

Tofaeono says he tried very hard to find a resolution to resolve whatever conflicts and difference were between himself and the Elders Committee because it’s something that must be done when it comes to the work of church ministers.

Four times, he sought to work with the Elders Committee to reach a harmonious solution among “us who are members of the clergy” but all those efforts failed, as his request for such solution was rejected, Tofaeono said.

Another witness called to the stand on the second-day of trial was Faalevao, who was asked by the defense if there was any evidence, supporting the Elders Committee’s decision against Tofaeono and his wife.

Faalevao responded that it was only verbal communications from Saifoloi, who spoke with Tofaeono and his wife, as well as the police report, regarding the incident where Mrs. Tofaeono is alleged to have tried to strangle a woman, who is alleged to have had a secret relationship with Tofaeono while Mrs. Tofaeono was in New Zealand for education purposes.

Tuiteleleapaga told the court that the police report is very clear, in which it states that Mrs. Tofaeono is the “victim” and she suffered injuries to her body.

As to the meeting or discussion between Saifoloi and Tofaeono and his wife, the defense reminded the court that Tofaeono had strongly rejected the allegations against him.

(Original Samoan story published Lali section of the June 1st edition of Samoa News. In Monday’s edition is the round-up of other issues on the case. It’s unclear at this point as to when the court will hand down a decision on the plaintiff’s complaint.)