Decision delayed again in case against Sāmoa PM Laaulialemalietoa

A decision in the high-stakes court case involving Sāmoa’s Prime Minister has been delayed again with the judge asking for more time to finalise her ruling.

District Court Judge Talasa Atoa-Saaga has postponed her decision in the conspiracy case against Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt for a fourth time.

The ruling, expected on 20 March, is now set for 27 March.

According to the Sāmoa Observer, Justice Talasa told the court more time was needed.

“As I’ve said before, this is not easy, and more time is needed. I apologise for another adjournment and reassure you that this will be the last.”

In a livestream after the court session, Laaulialemalietoa urged patience.

Watch (Sāmoan) Radio Polynesia coverage of Laaulialemalietoa outside court:

“The judge has asked for another week to complete her deliberations, and then we will meet next Friday. To those involved in this case, have patience,” he said.

“This is a court case about justice. The truth is the truth. No one can change that. Only God can judge our choices.”

The opposition also reacted to the delay. Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said they had hoped for a decision sooner.

Lealailepule said it was embarrassing to see the Prime Minister repeatedly returning to the court. Photo/HRPP

“This is an important court case, because it trails back to the unsolved hit-and-run case, which caused so much damage to Leala [HRPP secretary] and his family,” Tuilaepa said on a party livestream. “These delays indicate the importance of the decision.”

Party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi said the case weighed heavily on him and his family.

“We have been patient for five years to get an answer to this. We can wait another week,” Lealailepule said.

“Aside from that, it’s an embarrassment for us to see our prime minister go back, keep walking back over and over, to the courts, to wait for the ruling [on his charges].”

The case, which has run for more than a year, centres on a hit-and-run in 2021 that killed a university student and later led to allegations of political interference, according to local reports. The defendants deny the charges.

Laaulialemalietoa and several co-defendants Fepuleai Faimata Sua, Li'o Fataumalama Auava, Lise-Marie Schmidt, Sam Sua, and Sivai Kepi, face charges including conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and fabrication of evidence.

(L-R) Samuelu 'Sam' Su'a and Sivai Kepi Mamea, Li’o Faataumalama Auava, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt and Lise Marie Schmidt. Five of the six defendants in the high-profile case involving the Prime Minister. Photo/Sāmoa Global News

The Prime Minister was charged in January 2025 while serving as a cabinet minister under Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataafa in the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) government.

He did not step down at the time and was later removed from his ministerial role on 10 January 2025.

The case has had major political fallout. A split within the ruling FAST party led to a snap election, which Laaulialemalietoa’s faction won.

He was sworn in as Prime Minister on 16 September 2025 while the charges remained before the court.

The five-week trial ended in June 2025, but delays followed after the prosecution failed to file on time.

The ruling, first set for 2 February 2026, has now been adjourned multiple times.

The fourth adjournment by the District Court closes a busy week for PM Laaulialemalietoa who hosted NZ PM Christopher Luxon on Monday and Tuesday. Photo/Government of Sāmoa

Justice Talasa has previously said the complexity of the case required more time.

Beyond the courtroom, the case has drawn public attention to Sāmoa’s justice system and political leadership, with Laaulialemalietoa currently serving as Minister of Police and Prisons and overseeing the Office of the Attorney-General.

A final decision is now expected next week.