Samoa’s former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was charged with six counts of defamation Wednesday morning.
Four complaints of defamation were laid by Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi leader and Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt pertaining to claims against him by Tuilaepa.
He alleges that Tuilaepa made defamatory comments targeting him during a program on a social media platform two years go.
Two other charges of defamation against Tuilaepa were laid by former Vice Chancellor of the National University of Samoa and current Minister of Education Aiono Alec Ekeroma.
Aiono claims that Tuilaepa defamed him when he said that he was using hospital equipment for his private clinic.
There was surprise when Tuilaepa was held briefly in the holding cells at the Police Station.
He has been released until March 2026 for his initial hearing.
