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Former PM Tuilaepa charged with defamation & harassment

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HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi speaking in parliament/File Photo

Editors Note: This story has been updated.

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 21 January 2026 – Samoa’s longest serving Prime Minister and current Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was charged this morning for defamation and harassment.

The Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga said Tuilaepa is charged with four offences and there could be additional charges.

Tuilaepa is remanded at liberty and is ordered to surrender his travel document and is to appear in court on 24 February 2026.

The charges stem from a complaint filed by the Minister of Education Aiono Alec Ekeroma on Tuilaepa’s allegations against him when he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health.

Tuilaepa is charged under the Criminal Libel Act that his HRPP Government previously abolished then later reinstated in 2017.

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1 Comment

  1. Vitale Leafi

    January 22, 2026 at 5:54 am

    Yeah, it needs to get rid of that Criminal Libel Act. Same act that thin skinned politicians are throwing at some members of the press.

    Reply

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