The Ministry of Police is responsible for informing the former Police Commissioner, Lilomaiava Fou Taioalo, about his termination.
That was the response from Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, when he was told that Lilomaiava has still not been officially informed about his termination.
“The decision has been made and the Head of the Ministry of Police passes on the decision to the Commissioner,” Tuilaepa said.
“You (media) came and asked me (last week). I thought that since it’s been a while (since the decision was made) and that he’s already been informed.”
When Tuilaepa was asked last week if a decision has been made on the Commissioner following a Commission of Inquiry, he said yes.
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“The Commission had recommended that he should be retired.”
He later clarified that Lilomaiava was terminated.
Attempts to get a comment from the Minister of Police, Sala Fata Pinati and the Assistant Commissioner, Fauono Talalelei Tapu, were unsuccessful.
Contacted for a comment on Wednesday, Lilomaiava said he had still not been officially informed.
“Right now, I’m sitting in the dark not knowing what is happening,” he told the Samoa Observer.
“I have not been formally informed by the government. I feel sad because everyone is talking about my termination and yet I’m not aware of it.”
The Commissioner said he will write to the government to find out if they in fact have made a decision.
Lilomaiava was the subject of a second Commission of Inquiry into his performance, in particular the running of the Tafa’igata prison.
While the Assistant Commissioner of Prison Sala Seaga Uili decided to resign ahead of the second Inquiry, Lilomaiava fought on. He maintained his innocence.
Like the first Inquiry, the second Inquiry was Chaired by the Ombudsman, Maiava Iulai Toma.
Diana Roma, Lilomaiava’s lawyer before the Inquiry, argued that the allegations against her client had not been proven and therefore his services should not be terminated.
“To conclude, the Commission may find at the end of the inquiry that there are short coming’s in the performance of the Commissioner but our submissions are that the Commissioner offered reasonable explanations towards the matters raised in light of the Tafaigata Report which we submit does not
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