Pacific

Former government minister in Samoa hails court case victory

08:05 am on 28 September 2006

Samoa's former Minister of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Mulitalo Siafausa Vui, is celebrating his victory after the Supreme Court found, Samoa Party leader, Su'a Rimoni Ah Chong, guilty of bribery.

Mulitalo says Su'a's conviction of bribery shows that the court has found the defendant guilty of corruption as well.

But Su'a says he never thought his action could be interpreted as a corrupt practice.

He insists the gifting of a brand new TV set to an elderly woman was done in the belief that the woman was a member of his extended family.

However, Su'a says it's very important for future candidates to know that the law does not distinguish between family members and electors.

Su'a is due to be sentenced tomorrow.