Safata 1 back to the polls as MP loses seat in election petition

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 27 November 2025: The Electoral Court has found both Leaana Ronnie Posini (Petitioner) and Seve Te’i Fuimaono (Respondent) guilty of corrupt election practises.

The ruling was delivered today declaring the election of Seve as Safata 1 Member of Parliament void. Seve is currently the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. The decision makes both ineligible to run in a by-election.

The petition & counter petition
Leaana called 10 witnesses to confirm bribery and treating allegations against Seve and she filed a counter petition of 30 allegations of bribery and treating against Leaana.

Seve did not call any evidence to rebut Leaana’s allegations nor challenge his witnesses who testified and implicated her directly in paying monies to voters.

The court said Seve’s failure to respond to the witness evidence “undermined her case and left the Petitioners account uncontradicted.”

Seve’s counter petition focuses on the village meetings at Sataoa and Saanapu on different dates.

The court noted that Leaana’s presence and distribution of $5000 at both meetings was not disputed.

However, what was disputed is the timing of the distribution, the sequence it was done and its purpose.

What was also noted is that both the Petitioner and Respondent were directly involved with the giving of monies at various times and the court found them guilty of corrupt practises.

The decision
For the reason stated, we have found all allegations against the Respondent (Seve) proven beyond reasonable doubt.

We have also found the allegations 1-11, 13,26 and 30 against the Petitioner (Leaana) in the counter petition proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Each party pays their own costs and the court will inform the Parliament Speaker of its findings.

The presiding judges were Senior Justice Vui Clarence Nelson and Justice Leiataua Daryl Clarke.

Counsels involved were Mapusua Tanya Toailoa for the Respondent and Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio & Fuimaono Sefo Ainuu for the Petitioner.

CLICK FOR THE FULL DECISION Judgment of the Court – Leaana Ronnie Mulitalo Posini vs Seve Te’i Fuimaono