The Ministry of Police and Prisons can use “force, if necessary” to retrieve files from the Public Service Commission to assist in their investigation in relation to a criminal complaint filed by former Chief Executive Officer, of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (MJCA) Papali’i John Taimalelagi.
This is according to the Acting Police Commissioner Leiataualesa Samuelu Afamasaga in an interview with Radio Polynesia.
This in relation to Papalii’s criminal complaint against Loabay media outlet alleging they defamed his character over sexual harassment claims, which they claim led to Papali’i terminations from the Ministry.
As first reported by Radio Polynesia earlier this week,the Police served the PSC with a warrant, that seeks to obtain documents to confirm that the complaint was filed by the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (MJCA) against the former CEO, Papalii; also to uplift any records or documents of investigation proceeding alleging sexual harassment.
Leiataua said the warrant is a “lawful document under the law and this warrant, the Police can use the force if necessary, but we don’t want to come to that” and all they are seeking is the cooperation of the Public Service Commission.
Obtained by Radio Polynesia, the search warrant was sworn in by Police Constable, Tasi Matafeo and signed by District Court Registrar Tofilau Shamilla Leavai, dated 21 January, 2022.
The Public Service Commissioner Lauano Vaosa Epa told Radio Polynesia, their office has received a Search Warrant which they are currently reviewing and validating its content in confidence then respond accordingly.
In August last year, Papali’i lodged an official complaint with the Police against the owner of Loabay, Gago Fau Gago allegedly made defamatory posts, accusing him of "sexually abusing" women from the Ministry during his time in office, which eventually led to the termination of his services by the PSC.
This led to the move by the Police to retrieve Papalii’s employment files from the PSC.
