Chief Justice

Matai from Savaii's important maritime port village of Salelologa have urged the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) to refrain from their attacks on the judiciary.

The HRPP's Leala'ilepule Rimoni Aiafi had written to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) directly questioning Satiu Simativa Perese's credentials, seeking his removal.

The letter suggested recent electoral petition rulings against HRPP candidates-elect displayed the judicial head's lack of understanding about Fa'a Samoa (Samoan culture and traditions) and voter behaviour.

TV1Samoa reported Satiu was admitted to Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital last weekend and was discharged early this week.

However plans were now being made for him to travel to Auckland.

The Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, said in his absence Justice Mata Tuatagaloa had been appointed acting Chief Justice.

However Justice Vui Clarence Nelson, who was the senior Justice on the bench, was attending an overseas conference and was expected to take over the role when he returned.

The new Chief Justice was born in Samoa before his family moved to New Zealand when he was a child.

He replaces Patu Falefatu Sapolu, who has retired.

At his swearing-in, Satiu thanked the outgoing chief justice.

"I acknowledge your hard work, courage and service to the administration of the rule of law in our country," he said.

"I also acknowledge that this bench will miss your superb intellect and wisdom. I can only but pledge to try and follow in your footsteps to take our judiciary to a new place."

Patu has been chief justice for 27 years and bid farewell to the judiciary in a special sitting of the court today.

He thanked members of the judiciary as well as the former prime minister, Tofilau Eti Alesana, for the trust and confidence he placed on him in his appointment as chief justice back in 1992.

He has also thanked the Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, for the many good things he had done to improve the judiciary, including extending the retirement age for supreme court judges from 62 to 68.

Police Commissioner Egon Keil told RNZ Pacific that police are working with the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General to deal with a perceived threat.

He said for security reasons, he could not discuss the nature of the threat.

About  20 uniformed police officers were in court while the Chief Justice was presiding over a bail hearing on Thursday.

It is also believed there were plain-clothed officers outside the court.

Justice Patu Tiava'asu'e Falefatu Sapolu said that would be a "retrograde step for Samoa".

He was delivering his reasons for denying an application by the Attorney General to appoint an overseas judge to sit on an appeal case involving the President of the Land and Titles Court.

Fepuleai Atilla Ropati had pleaded guilty to an assault charge and was discharged without conviction in the District Court.

Patu said when the case was heard in the District Court, the attorney general did not ask for an overseas judge to try the case.

As a result the case was taken off the list of appeal matters to be heard by Justice Patu this morning.

“It is very disrespectful to the Supreme Court to have filed for an appeal and then not appear for the mention hearing. Therefore, I will throw that off the list of cases for this court,” he said.

Both the independent prosecutor Simativa Pelese and the defense lawyer were not in attendance.