Senior Lawyer Maiava Visekota says she will “responsibly cooperate with any investigation” by the Samoa Law Society.
This was outlined in a statement issued today, by Maiava in response to questions from Radio Polynesia. This follows the confirmation by the Acting President of the Samoa Law Society Alex Su’a that a “special seven-member committee” made up of lawyers has been appointed to investigate Maiava, in relation to her contempt of court conviction in March.
Maiava said: “I confirm that my legal Counsel has advised the Samoa Law Society that I will responsibly cooperate with any investigation of complaints received by Council, emanating from the recent Supreme Court ruling on civil contempt.
“At this point, I do not wish to prejudice the outcome of the Law Society process by commenting on any matter related to the pending investigation.”
In March Justices Robert Fisher and Raynor Archer convicted Maiava, the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi, and Secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, with contempt of court.
This is a result of a complaint brought on by FAST and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, for undermining the court’s authority pertaining to the decision on electoral matters.
The Judges cited that Senior lawyer Maiava’s “scale of contempt is not comparable to that of” the former Prime Minister and HRPP Secretary, as she is an officer of the court and as a lawyer she out to know better.
In an interview with the media yesterday, outside of court Su’a confirmed the investigation is based on the complaint by members of Society.
“It is a normal process taken after any complaint is filed against a member of the Society to follow its regulatory framework.”
Su’a declined to identify who the seven-members lawyers are tasked to investigate the complaint against Visekota.
