Tuilaepa defends speaking out as defamation case delayed until May

Sāmoa’s opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says he will continue speaking out, even as his defamation case is delayed with charges still not finalised and a new hearing set for next month.

The former prime minister appeared in the District Court this week where prosecutors asked for more time to prepare their case.

No plea has been entered and the matter is due to return in the first week of May

Despite a court warning to limit public comments, Tuilaepa said speaking out is part of his role as an elected leader.

“The charges being brought against me are my sworn duties, as an MP of my district, and as the leader of the opposition, to question the government,” he said at a press conference on Thursday.

“This is my duty. And it cannot be stopped.”

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa is the second complainant in the defamation case against opposition leader Tuilaepa. Photo/Parliament of Sāmoa.

Local reports say the court has ordered Tuilaepa to refrain from posting further comments on social media about the complainants, including Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt and Education Minister Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma.

Tuilaepa said he understood the court’s advice. “I thank the judge for the advice and understand it well,” he said.

However, he maintained that opposition MPs are expected to speak openly on political issues, including government decisions and public spending.

Tuilaepa says HRPP is the opposition party to the government, and their role is to question and give advice to the FAST-led government. Photo/Renate Rivers

“Our job is to advise the government on what should be done. These political issues are what we are here for,” he said.

The case stems from comments made by Tuilaepa in late 2025, including claims shared on the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Facebook page ahead of the general election.

Court reports from the Samoa Observer state that Aiono alleges Tuilaepa accused him of taking medical equipment, including imaging machines, from the national hospital for use in his private clinic.

Aiono has rejected those claims as “false, defamatory, and malicious,” saying they were intended to damage his reputation and undermine public trust.

He said he filed a complaint with police in November 2025 and challenged Tuilaepa to provide evidence, saying none had been produced.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa is also a complainant in the case. He has not responded to requests for comment.

Aiono Alec Ekeroma is the current Minister of Education. Prior to being sworn-in as a parliamentarian, he was the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health. Photo/Parliament of Sāmoa.

On Tuesday, the court heard there may also be a third complaint, although prosecutors said they were not yet aware of it.

Prosecutors told the court they are still finalising charges and requested more time before proceeding.

Tuilaepa said he is preparing counterclaims once the charges are confirmed and questioned the strength of the case against him.

“It won’t be easy because they have to base it on evidence,” he said.

Watch (Sāmoan) Tuilaepa's press conference.

He also claimed there have been attempts to limit his ability to speak publicly, including restricting media access to him and other opposition figures.

“The media have rights, I have rights,” he said.

Under Sāmoan law, defamation can be pursued through both criminal charges and civil claims, where statements are alleged to have harmed a person’s reputation.

The case highlights growing tensions in Sāmoa between political speech and the legal limits placed on it as the matter moves towards its next hearing in May.