Tuilaepa ordered to refrain from discussing defamation case on social media

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 05 May 2026: The District Court Senior Judge, Talasa Atoa Saaga has ordered former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to refrain from discussing his defamation case on social media.

The judge made the order today based on an application by the Prosecutor Maiavatele Timothy Fesili.

Tuilaepa is facing 4 charges alleging defamation and issuing insulting words.

Three charges were filed by the Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt and one filed by the Minister of Education, Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma.

The prosecutor Maiavatele asked the court to hear the complaints separately.

He said Aiono’s complaint is based on matters that happened in 2025 while Laauli’s complaint stemmed from issues that happened in 2023.

Defense counsel Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio opposed both the application and the order on social media. The court granted the application, and the matter will be recalled 23 June 2026 to set the separate hearing dates.

Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga will hear the case by Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma but has already recused herself from hearing the Laauli matter.