Translated from FaaSamoa. One of the defendants in the high profile case currently underway in the District Court of Samoa has been given a stern warning by presiding Judge Talasa Atoa Saaga, after he breached bail conditions by posting a live commentary to recount his summary of the day’s court proceedings on social media.
Li’o Faataumalama Auvaa is a former Police Inspector facing charges of misleading a police investigation and fabricating evidence.
On Tuesday after court had adjourned for the day, the defendant published a live post with his summary and commentary of what had transpired in Court that day.
When Court resumed on Wednesday morning Prosecutor Taimalelagi Leinafo Strickland informed the Court of Lio’s posts.
Senior District Court Judge Talasa Atoa-Saaga delivered a stern warning to Li’o stating that reporting of court procedures was the role of the media.
Defense Counsels stood to apologise to the Court and said they had already spoken to their clients.
Judge Atoa-Saaga reminded the defendant that his bail conditions strictly prohibits any publication or posts regarding the case on social media.
The defendants include FAST Party leader Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt and former Associate Minister of Police Fepulea’i Faimata Su’a.
Others jointly charged are former Police Officer Li’o Faataumalama Auvaa, former reporter for Talamua Lise Marie Schmidt, Samuelu Fauena Su’a – the man who says he witnessed a hit and run on the night of Tuesday 20 April 2021, and Samuelu’s wife, Sivai Kepi.
Samuelu makes serious allegations in a public interview aired by the New Zealand based Tautai A’e program. He says he was at Vaitele and saw Lealailepule with business woman May Cai in the vehicle that killed the teenager.
He also alleges that Lealailepule gave him money to assassinate Laaulialemalietoa and another MP. With the money he received, he purchased cows for his pa povi while the remainder of funds went towards his wife’s nifo aulo.
Samuelu also makes serious allegations against Samoa’s Police Commissioner and the Ministry of Police, Prisons and Rehabilitation Services.
Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo was the first of 76 prosecution witnesses expected to take the stand. The Commissioner gave evidence for three days from Monday 26th to the end of Day 3, Wednesday 28th May.
The Police Commissioner’s evidence points to a conspiracy to fabricate evidence against HRPP Party Secretary, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.
According to the Police Commissioner, the defendant’s main motivation was to bring charges against Lealailepule for being the driver of the hit-n-run vehicle that killed the Tuuau Maletino Faasavalu on the night of Tuesday 20th April 2021.
Commissioner Auapaau told the Court Samuelu’s allegations are false and his testimony is completely fabricated. Auapaau said Police investigations found that the defendants actions conspired to fabricate evidence for Samuelu’s allegations.
The leader of the FAST Party has maintained his innocence since charges were laid against him in January 2025, assuring his Constituency and the public that the truth shall prevail.
The trial continues with 75 more witnesses expected to give evidence over the next 5 weeks.
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