Cabinet has approved a settlement of close to $40,000 tala for Police Officer Lefiu Aina Fono over his unlawful dismissal from the Ministry of Police and Prisons back in 2019.
The settlement was for his backpay.
This was confirmed by Police Commissioner Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo in response to questions from Radio Polynesia.
Auapa’au said the settlement is $38,000. He also confirmed that Lefiu had since returned to work at the Ministry of Police and Prisons.
Lefiu was charged with manslaughter back in August 2019 and a year later the charge was withdrawn in court due to the lack of evidence.
He then filed a lawsuit against the Police, and the amount of the settlement agreement was approved by Cabinet last month.
Lefiu was charged in relation to the alleged murder of a man from the village of Faleasi’u, five months after the first accused was arrested and charged for the murder of the deceased, who was from the same village.
It is alleged that the men had thrown stones during an altercation at Faleasiu in March 2019.
