Ombudsman Resigns for Family reasons

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 15 JUNE 2023: The Acting Ombudsman, Faualo Pepe Seiuli has confirmed the resignation of Ombudsman, Luamanuavao Katalaina Sapolu-Lussick and that her last day in office was 30 May 2023.

Faualo said Luamanuvao has resigned on family and personal reasons and that she had already left the country to be with her family in England.

Luamanuavao, a lawyer by profession was the first woman appointed as Ombudsman and Head of the National Human Rights Institution in April 2021 for a three year term.

Prior to her appointment as Ombudsman, she served as the Chief Legal Counsel for the organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States in Brussels.

She also served as the Director of the Commonwealth Secretariat Rule of Law Division from 2013-2017, then as Director of Governance and Peace Directories of the Commonwealth Secretariat until 2019.

She was sworn in as Samoa’s first woman Ombudsman in April 202.

Luamanuvao is married to Judge Richard Lussick.