The Chief Justice, His Honour Satiu Simativa Perese has been discharged from the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital after he was hospitalised over the weekend. 

This was confirmed by the Ministry of Justice Courts and Administration, Chief Executive Officer, Moliei Simi in response to queries from the Samoa Observer. 

“He was hospitalised, he had flu like symptoms and I believe he was due for heart checkup,” said Ms. Simi. 

“We do not know at the moment [whether to medivac him] we are waiting for report from the hospital and recommendation but the Chief Justice is on leave now.”

Furthermore, she said the Chief Justice was hospitalised over the weekend and has been discharged and is resting. 

Asked who is the Acting Chief Justice, the C.E.O. said that will be decided by the Judiciary Service Commission when they meet soon. 

It was not possible to get a comment from the Chief Justice. 

An email was sent by this newspaper to the Office of the Chief Justice, through his secretary Alisa Ioane, seeking his comment. 

But there was no response by press time. 

Justice Satiu was sworn in June this year after the former Chief Justice, Patu Tiava’asue Sapolu retired from office.