Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo has lost his Falealili No 1 seat in Parliament after the Supreme Court found him guilty of engaging in corrupt practices at the general elections.
The court found that $150 was given to a voter to influence how he voted in the Falealili No.1 constituency.
The court said the payment was made on the eve of the election by Leapagatele Petelo, who it found acted as an agent of the respondent, Toelupe.
The court delivered its ruling Tuesday morning and ordered a by-election for the now vacant seat.
Toelupe is also the Minister for Works, Transport and Infrastructure and is now disqualified from seeking re-election for a ten year period.
