AG’s office asks court to stay contempt hearing on Falealili 1 petition witnesses

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 15 April 2026: Counsel Taelegaifetu Violina Leilua for the Attorney General’s office has asked the Court to stay the proceedings of the contempt case against the witnesses that failed to appear during the Falealili 1 election petition.

The application was put before Chief Justice Satiu Simatva Perese and Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke yesterday.

When asked for the reasons, Taelegaifetu informed the court of their concern over Justice Rhys Harrison’s ruling over the office’s conflict of interest.

Harrison’s ruling last week recused not only the Attorney General but the AG’s office from any involvement in the upcoming hearing of Falealili.1. Member of Parliament Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo’s case.

Taelegaifetu requested that perhaps the court could deal first with the judicial review of the Falealili 1 matter and delay the contempt issue until after the judicial review.

The contempt matter stemmed from witnesses who were supposed to appear to give evidence in the election petition but failed to turn up.

She also informed the court that Attorney General is travelling overseas for personal reasons, and she needed to contact her for instructions.

Also raised during discussion is whether the office intends to “undertake” the matter to which Taelegaifetu said it’s an issue to raise with the Attorney General for direction.

Undertaking is a pledge by a legal representative to the court to perform or refrain from taking specific activity, a commitment that carries consequences.

Chief Justice Perese asked Taelegaifetu about the office’s stance on the $100,000 bribery matter referred to their office and she said, she will get instructions from the Attorney General on that one too.

Asked if they have located the witnesses, Taelegaifetu said they are working on it.

The matter is adjourned for one week while the court discusses the latest update before sending out the minutes.