College student denied bail

SAMOA – In Samoa, a high school student has pleaded guilty to four charges of posting threats on Facebook and has been sent back to prison to await the hearing of more charges against him in next month.

Setefano Taofia Toala also faces five further charges relating to school fights to which he has pleaded not guilty.

These charges will be called together with four other Avele College students who were released on bail after their initial court hearing.

The National Prosecution office (NPO) applied to the court not to grant bail to Setefano due to the seriousness of the offences against him.

Prosection representative Iliganoa Atoa said Setefano posed a high risk to society and should remain in custody until July when his other charges are recalled for hearing.

Iliganoa said Setefano was the mastermind of the troubles with another school.

Judge Vaepule Vaemoa Va’ai granted NPO’s application and sent Setefano back to prison.

The four other students, who were placed in police custody last week, have been released on bail to await their next arraignment.

Their bail conditions include signing in at the police main office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have also been given a curfew not to leave their homes between 9pm and 6am.

They have also pleaded not guilty to nine charges relating to the recent inter-school brawls .

The students before the court were amongst the 26 Avele students who were arrested during the fights with other students three weeks ago which resulted in the temporary closure of Avele College.

- Talamua