The chairman of the Samoa Judicial Service Commission, Acting Chief Justice Vui Clarence Nelson has placed three judges of the Land and Titles Court on suspension.
According to the Samoa Observer newspaper, Deputy President, Sevealii Panapa Vee, Senior Judge Lavea Siaosi Hazelman and Judge Nanai Pologa Ioane have been stood down while a SJC Committee “look into allegations regarding a decision of the L.T.C.”.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Moliei Simi Vaai, who is also the Secretary of the J.S.C. confirmed the suspensions.
“Three Land and Titles Court (L.T.C.) Judges have been suspended by the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the J.S.C. as of Monday 9 September, 2019 pending an investigation by a Committee.”
CEO Va’ai was not at liberty to discuss the circumstances leading to the suspensions and added the SJC has yet to name the committee members.
