Apia, SAMOA — A Supreme Court Judge called out the staff of the Ministry of Justice and Court Administration (MJCA) for taking a break when it is not yet Christmas (e lei tāina le Kerisimasi).

Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma was sitting over the usual list of criminal mentions on Monday morning when three consecutive cases that had been adjourned from last week were found to have not been actioned.

The three cases that agitated the Supreme Court judge involved instructions by the Supreme Court, for accused parties to be assigned Legal Aid Counsels.

In each case, Justice Roma asked the defendants if a lawyer had been assigned to them and each time, they responded, no.

“Ua tafafao le ofisa poo le aufaigaluega ae lei tāina le kerisimasi..”

“The staff are already on a break when it is not yet Christmas,” observed Justice Roma.

(Source: Samoa Global News)

FATAL ROAD INCIDENT IN SAMOA

Samoa's Ministry of Police and Prisons is investigating the death of a man early on Saturday after he was allegedly run over by a car in Savaii.

This was confirmed by Police Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo in response to questions from Radio Polynesia.

He said the victim was suspected to be intoxicated and allegedly slept on the main road.

The Commissioner also confirmed the driver turned herself in to the police after the incident.

(Source: RNZ Pacific)