Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has downplayed Hans Dalton’s family’s decision to sue the government for $30million.
The lawsuit specifically targets the Ministry of Police and Health. The civil claim follows Mr. Dalton’s death at Tafaigata prison in 2012 where he was found in a gallon of water.
Mr. Dalton had a mental disorder and he was initially taken to the hospital.
However, he was later transferred to the prison where he would later die.
Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Prime Minister Tuilaepa the lawsuit does not surprise him.
“Whether it’s $100 million or a billion, it can’t be stopped because anybody can file a lawsuit (against another) of a billion or $100 million,” said Tuilaepa.
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“The subject is based on their opinions to take before the Court. So it’s nothing to be shocked about, it’s not new.”
Tuilaepa said he has himself been threatened with lawsuits many times.
“Some twenty years ago I was threatened by a foreign bank institution for a billion (lawsuit),” Tuilaepa said.
“I said that’s nice and I’ve been waiting for it. It didn't amount to anything.”
Dalton’s death at the Tafaigata prison on Boxing day in December 2012 is the subject of a $30,051,847 sue from his family.
Attorney General Aumua Ming Leung Wai confirmed this.
Aumua said Christine Wilson who is the mother of Hans Dalton “has instituted civil proceedings against the Attorney General on behalf of the MOH and MOPP for the death of Dalton at Tafaigata Prison in December 2012”.
“The amount of her claim is $30,051,847 tala for the following:
- Negligence against the M.O.H and M.O.P.P
- Breach of Article 5 of the Constitution (Right to Life) against M.O.P.P
- Breach of Article 6 (right to personal liberty) against M.O.P.P and MOH; and
- Breach of Article 7 (Freedom from inhuman treatment) against M.O.P.P.”
It is not clear when the case will proceed.
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“Manu’s just the same. He stays with some old friends and they go outside playing touch rugby together. We were playing touch rugby together in our village at home”