Two Samoan politicians have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to an incident where the deputy prime minister allegedly instructed an associate minister to drive away from police to avoid being breath tested for drunk driving last October.
During a court appearance this morning, deputy prime minister Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo pleaded not guilty of inciting or encouraging the obstruction of a police officer from carrying out their duty.
The associate minister for trade and commerce Muagututagata Peter Ah Him pleaded not guilty of making an illegal u-turn and of wilfully obstructing a police officer from executing their duty.
Our correspondent, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says yesterday Fonotoe told local media he is innocent.
"The deputy prime minister called a press conference where he denied the charges before he appeared today. And he also praised the police for doing their job and also saying that the public should have confidence with the government because they did not interfere with the police inquiry."
Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia says the pair will go to trial on March the 3rd, when police are expected to call their first witnesses.