Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Samoa state lawyers recommend criminal investigation over illegal gun imports

Posted at 23:14 on 14 December, 2008 UTC

State lawyers assisting a commission of inquiry in Samoa into the illegal import of firearms has recommended a criminal investigation into the role of Police Commissioner, Papalii Lorenese Neru.

The police patrol boat delivered the guns from American Samoa and the state lawyers say the boat’s captain, Logoitino Filipo, should also be charged for breaches under the Police Service Act and the Arms Ordinance.

The state lawyer, Rebecca Wendt, in her submission in the last day of the

inquiry says there is strong evidence that the police commissioner is partly responsible for the importation of the firearms.

But the lawyer for the police commissioner, Te’o Richard Tapeni, argues there is insufficient evidence before the commission to warrant such a prosecution.

Te’o says Papalii Lorenese Neru’s reputation has been tainted by the inferences at the inquiry, while defending himself has been costly.

The lawyer says if the prosecution goes ahead the government should cover Papalii’s legal costs.