2026-03-20 - 01:03

The District Court has once again, further adjourned the handing down of its decision in the high-profile case involving Prime Minister Hon La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and five others, who are accused of conspiracy to defeat the course of justice, fabricating evidence, and defamatory libel. It would be the 4th adjournment set down by the District Court. Senior District Court Judge Talasa Atoa-Saaga has cited the complexity of the legal arguments and the high volume of final submissions as the primary reasons for these delays. During the most recent adjournment, Judge Atoa-Saaga asked the defendants, their families, and the public for their patience and prayers while she completes the written decision. The Courtroom and outside the District Court was packed with media this afternoon, including members of the Samoa Cabinet in support of the Prime Minister. https://samoaglobalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/VID-20260320-WA0000.mp4 This afternoon at 1pm was highly anticipated as the day judgment would finally be delivered. All defendants including the Prime Minister have appeared before the District Court each time. The continued delays are becoming a situation of justice delayed is justice denied, as the defendants are faced with exposure in the media at each postponement. The judgment was originally expected in early 2026 after final submissions by lawyers were presented in November 2025. 20 February 2026: This was the first set date for the verdict following the conclusion of the case. 23 February 2026: The decision was adjourned from the previous week to the the 23rd of February with the Judge requesting more time. 27 February 2026: Judge Atoa appeared in person to announce another postponement. This time for three weeks, explaining she needed more time to review the “detailed and complex” final submissions. 20 March 2026: This afternoon at 1pm, the Judge has requested a further week for the delivery of her final ruling. Hon La’aulialemalietoa is charged alongside former Associate Minister of Police Fepuleai Faimata Su’a, a former Police Officer Li’o Fa’ataumalama, Lise-Marie Schmidt, Samuelu “Sam” Su’a and his wife, Sivai Mamea (Kepi). The charges are tied to allegations made during a 2021 investigation into an unresolved hit-and-run death of NUS student, Tuuau Faasavalu on the eve of the April 2021 general elections. The prosecution alleges the defendants fabricated evidence to implicate opposition MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi in the incident. Sam alleges he was there on the night of the hit and run and saw Lealailepule with a lady friend in a landcruiser vehicle that caused the death of the 19 year old. Lealailepule had appeared as one of the Prosecution witnesses, to deny Sam’s story, and present an alibi for the night of the incident.