The case against 20 clergy of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa for failing to file tax returns may be heading to the Supreme Court after a motion by the defence this week.
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According to TV1Samoa, the church's lawyer Alex Su'a has sought to have the matter heard in the Supreme Court as the District Court will not have the jurisdiction to rule on the proposed line of argument the church will be making.
Mr Su'a told the court they will submit that the law which led to the ministers being charged was discriminatory and only the Supreme Court can rule on that.
The matter took another turn when two judges who initially heard the matter were removed from hearing the case.
Both Fepulea'i Ameperosaa Roma and Talasa Sa'aga have been replaced by Leota Raymond Schuster who has instructed both counsels to give written statements on the matter.
A decision on the motion will be given in two weeks time.