Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Two jailed for plot to kill ex-Samoan leader Tuilaepa

Malele Paulo, also known as King Faipopo, has been jailed for four years, and co-defendant Lemai Faioso Sione will spend four-and-a-half years behind bars.

Both men were found guilty by a panel of assessors in March this year.

Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson ordered media not to publish evidence of the case as another co-defendant Talalelei Pauga is yet to be extradited to Samoa from Australia to stand trial.

Ex-PM Tuilaepa no longer has police protection

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was assualted by at least one elderly women last month at the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration carpark.

Police provided security for Tuilaepa following a written request by the former prime minister.

After two-and-a-half weeks the Ministry of Police and Prisons recalled the officer.

     

Ex-Samoan leader asks for police protection following alleged assault

Police Commissioner Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo told Radio Polynesia that he has received the request from the suspended MP.

But he said there were factors that needed to be considered including the fact that Tuilaepa is no longer an MP, despite the fact that he remains the leader of the opposition Human Rights Protection Party.

Samoa's HRPP leader suspended indefinitely from Parliament

A formal complaint by Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio was lodged against the two senior MPs claiming they had brought Parliament into disrepute when they were convicted by the Supreme Court on contempt of court charges.

Chairman of the Privileges Committee Valasi Tafito Selesele presented a report with the recommendation of suspension for an indefinite term to Samoa's parliament on Tuesday morning.

Charged Samoan man disputes arrest warrant

Samoa Observer reports Talalelei Pauga, who is currently in Australian police custody awaiting extradition, had his application heard by Justice Lesatele Rapi Va'ai in the Supreme Court last Thursday.

Lawyer Tufuga Fagaloa Tufuga, acting for Pauga, told the court his client claims the arrest warrant was not properly issued as it was signed by a court registrar and not by a judge of the court.

The court was told Pauga has a pending hearing in Australia on the extradition order which is scheduled for June.

Court finds former Samoa PM guilty of contempt

The ruling was handed down on Wednesday, 23 March, by overseas Justices Robert Fisher and Raynor Asher.

Others found guilty of contempt include HRPP Secretary and Member of Parliament Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi and Lawyer, Maiava Visekota Peteru.

During the virtual hearing held earlier this month, former Prime Minister Tuilaepa, Deputy Leader Fonoteo Lauofo Meredith, and HRPP Secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi; Maiva Visekota Peteru and Tologata Sioeli Alofaifo submitted affidavits apologising to the court.

Samoa Opposition Leader Tuilaepa recovering well

Lauofo confirmed to Tala Fou that the country’s former Prime minister has been discharged from the hospital.

Tuilaepa is with his family and is recovering at home.

Lauofo added that Tuilaepa will undergo a series of regular checks with medical specialists and he will return home one he is fully recovered.

According to 1News, Tuilaepa went to New Zealand two weeks ago for medical care at Auckland Hospital.

Samoa's opposition leader is in New Zealand for medical reasons

He left Samoa on Saturday afternoon on an Air New Zealand flight accompanied by his wife Gillian Malielegaoi and a daughter.

Supporters took to social media as news of his departure was revealed, to offer support and wishing the former Prime Minister well a speedy recovery.

The Samoa Observer reports the 76 year-old was expected to be away for a month.

The newspaper also said a small crowd had gathered at the airport to farewell him despite State of Emergency orders allowing only one person to drop off travellers at the airport.

Samoa's opposition leader back in hospital

Newsline Samoa reports the former Prime Minister was admitted for observation on Tuesday evening.

He had been up and about and attended church on Sunday and later hosted his regular Sunday programme on TV1 .

Tuilaepa was admitted a month ago with what he later said was a "rogue germ" that made him feverish and tired.

The government has been preparing to send the 76-year-old to New Zealand for a full medical check up and its reported he is due to fly out this weekend.

     

Samoa Cabinet approves medical transfer of former PM to New Zealand

A Cabinet minister said the former prime minister will travel on the next available flight.

The 76-year-old former prime minister was admitted to intensive care last Thursday and stayed in hospital for five days.

Health officials told Radio Polynesia last week that Tuilaepa had a high fever.

Tuilaepa has not been able to attend parliament since it resumed on Tuesday.

The Human Rights Protection Party has yet to issue an official statement regarding its leader's situation.