A week-long celebration for the Samoa Law Society jubilee has led to the postponement of Lise-Marie Schmidt’s trial for allegedly making false allegations against former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa.

Schmidt had alleged that Fiame was involved in the death of academic Professor Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard. She was charged with conspiracy to defeat the course of justice and misleading the police through false information.

District Court Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii informed the prosecution and defence counsel that the Samoa Law Society had written to Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese asking for a deferment of all cases in the third week of August for the jubilee celebrations.

Judge Papalii informed the lawyers that CJ Perese had accepted the request, and a new trial date had to be set.

The court was informed by defence counsel in carriage of the case, Maposua Tanya Toailoa, that Schmidt had also engaged an overseas counsel.

Judge Papalii adjourned the matter to 1 May to confirm a new trial date and allow for the confirmation of the new defence counsel, and declare available dates so a hearing date could be set.

Schmidt is on bail and as part of her bail conditions, she is to refrain from posting any adverse comments against the witnesses or the complainant in this case.

Schmidt was initially charged by police in March of last year following two letters she penned that accused Fiame of involvement in the death of Dr Caroline Sinavaiana Gabbard.

She alleged having conversations with the former Prime Minister and meetings where she claimed she was instructed to retrieve evidence connected to the death of Professor Gabbard.

Following a police investigation into the claims, the charges were laid.