The President of the Samoa Land and Titles Court, Fepulea’i Atilla Ropati is now officially suspended after the Head of State, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II signed the warrant last week
Fepulea’i has been on special leave since March last year with all the benefits of his post including a more than $100,000tālā salary and vehicle.
Two months ago he was found guilty of assault by the Appeals Court and fined $ST7,000.
Cabinet had ordered his salary stopped and the return of the official government vehicle just before the start of the Appeal Court hearing.
His lawyer, Aumua Ming Leung Wai told the appeal court hearing that his client intended to step down from his post after the hearing but he later wrote to the Judicial Sevice Commission that he intended to stay on in his post.
The JSC, made up of the Acting Chief Justice Vui Clarence Nelson, Attorney General Lemalu Herman Retzlaff and Associate Minister of Justice So’oalo Mene, then voted unanimously to recommend his suspension, which all it can do legally.
It is now up to Parliament to make the final decision on the fate of Fepulea’i.
According to the warrant the Haed of State, suspends Fepulea’i Atilla Ropati as the President of the Land and Titles Court until the next ensuing session of the Legislative Assembly.
Parliament is due to meet at the end of the month to receive the Government budget for the financial year 2019/2020.
