Today in History: 28 November 2021 Long Serving Chief Justice Patu Falefatu Sapolu Passes Away

Today in History 28 November 2021:  Samoa’s long serving Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu passed away on 28 November 2021. Born 22 July 1950 Patu was 71 when he passed, after having served Samoa for over 40 years in the public service.

Patu is from the village of Vaiala and was educated at Marist Mulivai and St. Joseph’s College in Samoa. He excelled as a student, pronounced top of the class in his early years of education and later on in high school where he was also dux at St. Joeseph’s College.

He proceeded to the University of Otago and was later transferred to the University of Auckland in New Zealand on a government scholarship where he attained his Bachelors of Laws in 1972 and later his Masters in Law.

He subsequently worked at the Attorney-General’s office, as a temporary magistrate, and then as a Court Registrar. In 1988 he was appointed Attorney General of Samoa. 

Patu Tiavasu’e Falefatu Sapolu served as Attorney-General of Samoa from 1988 to 1991. In 1991 Sapolu was appointed Acting Chief Justice of Samoa. The position was made permanent, and he was sworn in on 20 July 1992. He served as Samoa’s CJ for 28 years until his retirement in 2019.

His death on this date makes 28 November of note in Samoan recent history.

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Lemalu Sulamanaia Daniel M Limā

Daniel is a part time editor and reporter who has recently graduated from Waikato University with a Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP). He has recently been bestowed the Lemalu title from Safaatoa Lefaga and the Sulamanaia title from Letogo.

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