Court issue Departure Prohibition Order on Witnesses

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 22 December 2025: The Electoral Court has issued a 6months Departure Prohibition Order (DPO) on the couple who are witnesses in the Falealili 1 election petition.

The order was issued today and Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese said police have not secured the whereabouts of the couple after warrants of arrest were issued by the court.

The couple already signed their summons to appear in court but failed to do so hence the warrants of arrest.

CJ Perese noted his concern over the disappearance of the couple but later noted that the difficulty in locating the witnesses may be consistent with “what appears to be an orchestrated obstruction of justice in the hearing of the electoral petition and counter petition.”

The couple’s evidence is said to be linked to the only witness, Lepagatele Alema to haven appeared in court for the petitioner.

The court has also requested the Office of the Attorney General to assist the police in locating the witnesses and have also warned anyone who harbours the witnesses to be charged with contempt of court.