New Ombudsman’s swearing in cancelled

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 26 June 2026 – The Speaker of Parliament announced this morning that the swearing in of the new Ombudsman scheduled for 1.00 this afternoon has been cancelled.

Speaker Auapaau Aloitafua Mulipola told parliament that as he made the announcement last night, he just received information this morning that Vui Clarence Nelson had to leave Samoa for overseas.

He said Parliament and the public will be informed of the future date for swearing when it is confirmed.

The appointment of the former Senior Supreme Court Judge was announced by the Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt and accepted in a motion of Parliament last night.

The Constitutional appointment is made by the Head of State on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly.

The appointment was the last item on Parliament’s agenda after it passed the 2026/2027 Budget Estimates close to midnight last night.

Vui Clarence Nelson ended his long and career as a Senior Judge of the Supreme Court on Wednesday this week.

The Office of the Ombudsman is also Samoa’s National Human Rights Institution and provides advice to the general public on matters relating to good governance and investigate practices of maladministration of government agencies.

It also carries out research and conducts activities in the promotion and protection of human rights in Samoa and conducts investigations concerning the abuse of power by enforcement agencies.