Close to $200,000 was paid to the former Chief Justice, the Late Patu Taivasu’e Falefatu Sapolu by the previous administration for his “end of service benefit”.
This was approved as per Cabinet Directive 19-47 for unforeseen expenditure. This was revealed in the Public Accounts for the financial year 2020 which ended 30 June 2020.
However, it was submitted to Parliament as per statute when the new Administration, took over by Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo.
The amount approved was $176,480 according to public accounts.
The former Chief Justice retired in 2019 after serving 26 years on the bench.
Last year, the former Chief Justice passed away.
