Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu
Afioga Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 18 March 2016 – 24 May 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi |
| Preceded by | Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa |
| Succeeded by | Matamua Vasati Pulufana |
| Member of the Samoan Parliament for Vaimauga West No.2 | |
| In office 4 March 2016 – 9 April 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Lefau Harry Schuster |
| Succeeded by | Constituency dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Human Rights Protection Party (until 2025) Samoa Labour Party (since 2025) |
Afioga Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu is a Samoan lawyer, politician, and high chief (matai). He served as Samoa's Minister of Justice and Courts Administration from 2016 to 2021, and was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa representing the constituency of Vaimauga Sisifo No. 2. Previously a member of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), he became a founding member of the Samoa Labour Party in 2025.
Early life and education
Ainu’u was educated at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, at U.S. International University in San Diego, California, and at the University of Hawaiʻi.[1]
Legal and business career
Before entering politics, Ainuʻu practised as a barrister and solicitor in both Samoa and American Samoa.[1] He was also the owner of the independent newspaper Samoa Post.[2]
In 2008, he faced legal proceedings in the District Court of American Samoa over allegations related to client funds. An arrest warrant was issued but never served. In 2016, Ainu’u sought a ruling to quash the warrant, and the case was dismissed, clearing him of all charges.[3][4][5][6]
Political career
Ainuʻu was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the 2016 Samoan general election.[7] Shortly after, he was appointed Minister of Justice and Courts Administration in the cabinet of Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi.[2][8]
As Minister, Ainuʻu backed controversial legislative changes to the land and titles system.[9] He oversaw the reinstatement of a previously repealed criminal libel law in 2017.[10]
He was also linked to controversies involving the Land and Titles Court of Samoa, including allegations in 2017 that he sought to influence a case, and in 2018 that files concerning his own title were improperly moved from the court to his office — allegations he denied.[11][12] The Prime Minister later stated the actions were justified,[13] though the Ministry of Justice CEO was suspended and eventually dismissed over the matter.[14][15]
Ainuʻu lost his seat in the 2021 Samoan general election.[16] In June 2025, he became a founding member of the Samoa Labour Party, established by former HRPP members to advance alternative economic and social policies.[17]
References
- ^ a b "Honourable Faaolesa Katopau Ainu'u". Government of Samoa. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020.
- ^ a b "Many New Faces in Samoa Cabinet". Talanei. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia (1 April 2016). "Warrant against Minister a surprise – P.M. says". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "Court called on to quash arrest warrant for Samoan minister". RNZ. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Case dismissed against Samoan justice minister". RNZ. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Justice Minister pleased with dismissal". Talanei. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "HRPP 44, Tautua Samoa 2". Talanei. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Former Samoa deputy PM left out of cabinet". RNZ. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (22 June 2020). "Justice Minister cautioned over L.T.C., Judges comments". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Samoa parliament votes to bring back libel law". RNZ. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Tension in the halls of Justice". Samoa Observer. 4 November 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Samoan minister denies court files were delivered to him". RNZ. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Samoa PM backs Minister's ability to move court files". RNZ. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ Deidre Fanene (2 May 2019). "Cabinet Confirms Termination of the CEO for Ministry of Justice". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ Lanuola Tusani Tupufia - Ah Tong (15 January 2021). "Minister stripped of authority over moving court files". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ Seia Lavilavi Soloi (13 April 2021). "Five Cabinet Minister lose seats after polls". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong (9 June 2025). "Former HRPP members setup Samoa Labour Party". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 9 June 2025.