Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu
Afioga Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu | |
|---|---|
 Ainuʻu in 2016 | |
| 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 2 | |
| In office 4 March 2016 – 9 April 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Lefau Harry Schuster |
| Succeeded by | Constituency dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 1963 |
| Died | 14 February 2026 (aged 62) |
| Party | Human Rights Protection Party (until 2025) Samoa Labour Party (from 2025) |
Afioga Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu (November 1963 – 14 February 2026) was 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 West 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
[edit]Ainuʻu was born in November 1963.[1] He 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.[2]
Legal and business career
[edit]Before entering politics, Ainuʻu practised as a barrister and solicitor in both Samoa and American Samoa.[2] He was also the owner of the independent newspaper Samoa Post.[3]
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, Ainuʻu sought a ruling to quash the warrant, and the case was dismissed, clearing him of all charges.[4][5][6][7]
Political career
[edit]Ainuʻu was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in the 2016 Samoan general election.[8] Shortly after, he was appointed Minister of Justice and Courts Administration in the cabinet of Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi.[3][9]
As minister, Ainuʻu backed controversial legislative changes to the land and titles system.[10] He oversaw the reinstatement of a previously repealed criminal libel law in 2017.[11]
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.[12][13] The Prime Minister later stated the actions were justified,[14] though the Ministry of Justice CEO was suspended and eventually dismissed over the matter.[15][16]
Ainuʻu lost his seat in the 2021 Samoan general election.[17] 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.[18] During the 2025 snap election, Ainu‘u contested the Vaimauga 4 constituency. He placed fifth with 21 votes, losing to Lima Graeme Tualaulelei of the HRPP.[19]
Death
[edit]Ainuʻu died on 14 February 2026, at the age of 62.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo (15 February 2026). "Former Minister of Justice Faaolesa passes away". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Marieta Heidi Ilalio (2 September 2025). "Lima still claims Vaimauga 4 seat". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.