Prime Minister cleared of conspiracy and subverting the course of justice

Apia, SAMOA – 27 March 2026: Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, Lio Faataumalama Auava and Fepuleai Faimata Sua and have all been cleared of the charges of fabrication, defamation and conspiracy to subvert the course of justice.

The long-awaited decision by Senior District Court Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga was delivered at 1.00pm today after being postponed five times since the full hearing was completed in June last year.

The Prime Minister and five others were charged in relation to an investigation the police said was a conspiracy against suspect in the unresolved hit and run incident that killed a university student in April 2021.

Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga however ruled that the investigation was to gather information and presented to assist police with their investigation into the hit and run incident after police found no further leads in their investigation.

The prime suspect was MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi who was cleared after the first police investigation in 2021. However, he was not interviewed by police until after Sam Sua went public on social media in 2023 and named a suspect and accused police of shortfalls in their investigation.

The trial highlighted shortfalls in the police methods in conducting their investigations such as the absence of time sheets, no notebooks for note taking and presenting handwritten reports to fill gaps in the police evidence.

Judge decline Prosecution submission to look lightly on lack of police notebooks
In passing judgement, District Court Senior Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga said she was asked by the Prosecution to look lightly (fa’a mama le vaai) at the police lack of notebooks and running sheets during their investigations of the charges.

“That I do not accept,” Judge Saaga said. She said the Ministry of Police is the ministry the country people put their trust for protection; and in such matters police are expected to perform their duties with diligence and follow police guidelines.”

During the 5-week trial last year, none of the police officers who were witnesses involved in the investigation had a notebook or running sheets to record their daily interviews and investigation of the allegations against the defendants.

Call for a fresh investigation into the unresolved hit and run incident
In dismissing the charges against the Prime Minister and three others, Judge Saaga called for a fresh investigation into the unresolved hit and run incident to be conducted by independent investigators outside of the police service.

She also called for the investigation to be conducted immediately.

Judge Saaga also emphasized that the new investigation should leave no stone unturned for the sake of the blood of the young student who died and for the protection and safety of young Samoans who should grow up knowing that they are safe in their country.

The investigation will also investigate the assassination allegation that implicated Member of Parliament Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi against Laauli and former MP Olo Fiti Vaai.

Police did not investigate the matter at the time.

Acknowledgement
After delivering her decision, Judge Saaga acknowledged the accused, the church ministers present, all counsels, police and court registers involved in the case.

She also acknowledged the media in keeping the public informed of the case proceedings and asked for the continuation of the court and media partnership.

Lastly, she acknowledged the support of the church leaders and the country for their prayers.

She again apologised for the delay in the delivering of her decision.

An emotional gathering
Outside court, over one hundred FAST supporters gathered for a brief thanksgiving prayer service.

There were tears of gratitude as supporters gathered to congratulate Laauli who acknowledged the support from all corners of the country and the diaspora and returned the gratitude and praise to God.

Judge Saaga is expected to distribute her full written decision on Monday next week.