Toi Aukuso and another former minister Leafa Vitale are accused of murdering and conspiring to murder the Public Works Minister, Lauagalau Levaulu Kamu.

Mr Kamu was shot in the back at a political party function nearly a month ago.

But at a court hearing on Friday, Mr Aukuso was also charged with attempting to incite a fourth person to murder Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele.

The fourth person, whose identity has been suppressed, is said to have given full details of the alleged plot to prosecutors.

It is understood he has been sent to New Zealand because of fears he would not live to see the trial.

The prosecution alleges the public works minister was murdered to try to prevent him from revealing widespread corruption and misuse of public funds.

Sentenced to death

Mr Aukuso, a former telecommunications minister, was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody.

His co-defendant Mr Vitale is expected to appear in court on Saturday.

Mr Vitale's son, Eletise Leafa Vitale, has already pleaded guilty to murder and has been sentenced to death for his part in Mr Kamu's assassination.

But Samoa has not hanged anyone in 37 years of independence and previous death sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment.