Chief Justice Patu Tiava’asue Falefatu Sapolu has denied the request to release two notorious prisoners from Police custody where they have been kept since a failed planned prison break at Samoas top prison, which they are suspected to have masterminded.
Convicted drug offenders Tagaloasa Filipaina and Ovaleni Poli were taken from the prison just before Police swooped in and searched the compound for guns reported to have been stashed in preparations for the break out.
Defense lawyer, Pa’u Tafaogalupe Mulitalo, asked the Court for his clients to be transferred from Police custody back to Tafaigata Prison.
A lawyer from the Attorney Generals office, Fa’alau Laga’aia, told the court she was representing the Samoa Prison and Corrections Service who are second respondents in the matter.
“We are seeking a one week adjournment so we can obtain instructions from the Ministry of Prison and also to go through the memorandum because we haven’t had time to view the memorandum.”
Chief Justice Patu then granted the application and ordered the pair to remain in Police custody.
Their net court appearance is on March 12th.
