Judge Saaga recused from presiding over Lise Marie Schmidt’s case

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 2 February 2026 – District Court Senior Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga today recused herself from hearing Lise Marie Schmidt’s allegations against former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa.

Judge Saaga was to preside over the hearing that was supposed to start today. Her reason was that she had presided over the 5 weeks hearing last year of a separate case where Lise Marie Schmidt was a co-defendant with Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmid and four others.

However, she will preside over the pending defamation case against Laauli yet to be heard.

Judge Papalii Rosela Papalii presided over the case today.

Prosecutor Su’a Leone Mailo informed the court that they will be calling 14 witnesses.

She also confirmed with the court that one of their witnesses, Papalii Sia Figel has passed on.

Defence counsel Mapusua Tanya Toailoa informed the court that she might not continue as counsel as Lise is engaging an overseas counsel.

The matter is adjourned for hearing in November 2026.

Strict order against posting on social media platform
Judge Papalii re-emphasised to Lise the strict court orders in place on her posting on social media.

“You are to refrain from posting any adverse comments against the witnesses or this case,” she said.

Background to the charges
The case stems from allegations which Lise made in a letter saying Fiame had instructed her to remove evidence relating to the death of the late Sinavaiana Dr. Caroline Gabbard.

Copies of the letter were sent to the Head of State, then Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo and the Attorney General at the time.

The police investigation of the allegations found no concrete evidence to charge Fiame; police then laid 19 charges against Lise which included making false claims, giving police misleading information, defamation and conspiring to defeat the course of justice.

Police outsourced their case and engaged private lawyer Su’a Leone Mailo to prosecute on their behalf.