HRPP Witness Reluctant to Testify on Evidence Prepared by Party Secretary  

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 13 October 2025: The HRPP witness for their application to join the Falealili 1 election petition, is unwilling to testify on evidence prepared by the party’s Secretary, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.

The witness, Namulau’ulu Sami Leota was subpoenaed by the Court last Friday to appear in court after they noted his signature as a witness on the HRPP affidavit.

However, a letter received by the court this morning indicated that Namulau’ulu was not willing to testify.

When asked by the court why, he said his district pressured him not to get involved in the Falealili 1 case.

But when further questioned by Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese and Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke, Namulau’ulu said the evidence which included an audio recording of the HRPP caucus meeting was prepared by the HRPP Secretary.

Chief Justice Perese showed Namulau’ulu an affidavit and asked if his signature was on the document and he said “yes” but said all evidence were prepared by the party Secretary.

Namulau’ulu told the court that his presence in court today was to “comply with the subpoena and I want to exercise my right not to testify.”

HRPP Secretary, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, whose name is mentioned in the evidence, leaving court with Fa’asaleleaga 2 Member of Parliament, Vaaelua Senetenari Samau this afternoon.

“You don’t have rights” – Chief Justice to witness
Chief Justice Perese told Namulau’ulu that he does not have any rights.

“You have no right as you have been summoned by subpoena to give evidence,” said Chief Justice Perese.

He asked Namulau’ulu if there was any other reason why he was reluctant to give evidence.

“No, but my position remains not to give evidence,” said Namulau’ulu.

Justice Clarke told Namulau’ulu that his presence was to assist the court and that he is under subpoena.

The eleventh-hour letter  
Namulau’ulu’s letter to the court and received by three counsels involved in the Falealii 1 matter, was received this morning, a few hours before the hearing of the application.

HRPP counsel Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio told the court he was shocked when handed a copy of the letter as he walked into court.

“There was no forewarning,” he said.

Counsels for the petitioner and counter petitioners Muriel Lui and Unasa Iuni Sapolu both argued that the letter poses not only hearsay matter but also self-incriminating comments.

Unasa who represents the petitioner Tuiloma Lance Lameko asked for time to ponder the contents of the letter especially on alleged hearsay comments.

Lui’s concern is based on alleged self-incriminating issues in the letter and their response depends on Tuiloma’s response to the HRPP application.

The application hearing was scheduled for 2.00pm today and the court has adjourned to 1000 tomorrow morning given the concerns raised by counsels.