Tuilaepa Withdraws Legal Challenge Against PM

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 27 February 2025 – Counsel for the Opposition leader, Fuimaono Sefo Ainuu has withdrawn his clients’ legal challenge against Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa after a motion of no confidence in Fiame was lost in Parliament on Tuesday by 34 to 14 votes.

HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi asked the court to declare the Prime Ministers seat vacant as she does not represent any political party.

The matter was supposed to be heard on Monday, but Fiame’s counsel applied for an adjournment to today as Parliament was dealing with the issue in a vote on its Tuesday sitting.

In Court today, Fuimaono asked to withdraw and was granted.

He however asked for costs on the ground that the issue is of public interest and neither Fiame nor FAST leader Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt brought the matter to court.

The parties to the case were Tuilaepa, Fiame, FAST party and Parliament Speaker.

A pompous exercise
Fiame’s counsel did not mix words when he called the legal challenge a pompous exercise.

Supported by the FAST and Speakers counsel, they argued that there was never a motion for a vote of no confidence before Parliament during its previous sitting in January.

Fuimaono however pointed out that the Speaker during that sitting said he was not entertaining any motion for a vote of no confidence.

The respodents counsel stuck to the fact that parliament never dealt with any motion for a vote of no confidence and such legal challenge should not have been brought to court.

Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese has reserved his decision on costs.

END