Charges against former Prime Minister Tuilaepa yet to be finalised

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 9 April 2026: The defamation charges against former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi are yet to be finalised and the Court has granted another two weeks adjournment for police to finalise the charges.

The District Court has received two separate complaints against the former Prime Minister.

One complaint was filed by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt and the other by the Minister of Education Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma.

The matter was called before Judge Papalii Rosela Papalii this week and she informed prosecution that she also had before her another complaint by Molio’o Andrew Mowat of misleading information against Tuilaepa.

However, Prosecution informed the Court that they only had the complaint files by Laaulialemalietoa and Aiono and were not aware of a complaint by Molioo.

He then asked for a two weeks’ adjournment for police to finalise the charges.

The adjournment was granted and the matter will be recalled on the first week of May without the defendant entering a plea.

The court also ordered the defendant to refrain from posting further comments on social media against the complainants.