AG’s Office Move to Strike Out Lealailepule’s Appeal

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 7 July 2026 – The Office of the Attorney General has filed a motion to strike out the Faleata 3 Member of Parliament, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi’s application for a judicial review of the District Court’s decision on the high-profile case that involved Prime Minister and 5 others that called for a new investigation into the unresolved 2021 hit and run case.

The Office of the Attorney General filed 4 motions in court yesterday.

One is a motion to strike out Leala’s application to file an appeal on time, and a motion to strike out his stay of proceedings application.

The other motion is to strike out Leala’s application for a judicial review.

The applications relate to the District Court Senior Judge, Talasa Atoa Saaga’s decision that acquitted Laaulialemalietoa, a former MP Fepuleai Faimata Su’a and Inspector Li’o Fa’ataumalama Auava of all charges.

The decision also found three other defendants Lise Marie Schmidt, Samuelu Su’a and Sivai Kepi guilty.

The decision was delivered in March 2026 and Leala’s motion to appeal is now before the Supreme Court.

Office of the Attorney General joins as a party
The Prosecutor representing the police during the high profile 5-week trial last year was Leinafo Strickland, however, she has removed herself from the current matter hence the Attorney General Office’s application to join as a Respondent.

Presiding Justice Fepuleai Amepersona Roma asked whether the AG’s office applying as a Respondent is separated from the police, but counsel representing the AG’s office said she had not had instructions on that.

Counsels representing the Respondent, Muriel Lui and Fuimaono Sefo Ainu’u for the Applicant did not oppose the application.

“By consent, the parties accept the Attorney General’s office as a party to the matter,” said Justice Roma.

The matter is adjourned to 20 July for re-mention and for the Applicant to file responses to the motions submitted by the AG’s office and to set a hearing date.

Fuimaono is representing Lealailepule, Muriel for the defendants number 2 to 6 and the AG’s office for Laaulialemalietoa.