Social media influencer awaiting defamation trial banned by her village

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 17 July 2026: Social media influencer and one of the co-hosts of the Maota o Viiga online program, Ainu’u Iliganoa Sava’iinaea has been banned from her of Sapapalii.

A video clip of the village matais who went to inform Ainu’us’ family on the banishment went viral with the village spokesperson calling Ainu’u by the name used by people on social media.

According to the spokesperson, the banishment is based on Ainu’u’s disrespect and foul language uttered on the online social media programme which he said, “has tarnished the village, country and the Malietoa title.”

Sapapalii is the seat of the current holder of the Malietoa title and Ainu’u is a chiefly title of the Malietoa family.

“Ua ka’uvalea le aiga, le gu’u, ka’uvalea le Malietoa la e se’ei i le gofoa kalu ai au lafoga le mafaufau ia Samoa aemaise Papalii sa avea ma Fofoga Fekalai, le Faamasigo Sili, e le faia e se suli Maliekoa gi upu faapega laga e le gaka ia oe, ae kauvalea ai le Maliekoa,” said the spokesperson.

Ainu’u and her husband Toleafoa Saia Toleafoa are hosts of the pro-Opposition social media programme, Maota o Viiga and are facing defamation charges in the District Court and their case is scheduled to be heard next week.