Judge asks for prayers as she adjourns her decision one more time

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 27 February 2026: The District Court Senior Judge, Talasa Atoa Saaga today asked for prayers as well as more time to finish her decision on the high-profile case involving Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt and four others.

The decision was supposed to be delivered at 1.00 this afternoon on the charges of obstruction, defamation, conspiracy and misleading information against Laauli, former Member of Parliament, Fepuleai Faimata Sua, former Police Inspector Tupai Faataumalama Auava, Lise Marie Schmidt, Samuelu (Sam) Sua and Sivai Kepi.

Today ‘s adjournment is the third time the judge has postponed her decision.

“I meant to deliver my decision today, and I understand the weight of this matter to the country who are waiting. However, I underestimated the time needed due to the richness of the submissions presented by counsels,” she said.

She admitted that by 1100 this morning, she knew she needed more time and asked for two weeks to complete her written decision then adjourned the matter to 20 March 2026.

She apologised to all parties involved and asked to remember her in their prayers.

“Before you all leave this place, I ask you to remember me in your prayers,” she asked.

Background
The hearing of the high-profile case took 5 weeks from late May to June 2025.

Counsels including Richard Marchant (KC) for Laauli, Katherine Delzal for Sam and his wife Sivai, Muriel Lui for Fepuleai Faimata Sua & Lise Schmidt and Maposua Tanya Toailoa for Lio Tupai Faataumalama.

Prosecutor was Leinafo Taimalelagi Strickland. Counsels presented their final submissions in November 2025 and the decision was supposed to be delivered in February this year.

However, it was adjourned to Friday last week but was again adjourned to today.

Today, Her Honour appeared in person to inform counsels, defendants and supporters of the reasons she had to adjourn again.

We keep her in our prayers
Outside court, about a hundred supporters and families for the defendants held a brief prayer service to acknowledge the love of the Heavenly Father and offered prayers for the Judge.

Laauli also acknowledged the support from the public and those who travelled from abroad to lend support.

He said the Judges work is not easy.

“We keep her in our prayers,” said Laauli.