Two people in the Falealili No.1 contempt of court matter, Malili Nofovaega and Fa'amotuti'a Seu, changed their evidence before the court on Tuesday, after initially stating that they were hidden by the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party.

When they were called to give reasons on why they did not appear when the Falealili No.1 election petition matter was called on 8 December and 15 December 2025, Nofovaega said he was misinformed.

"Your honour, I want to discredit the word 'hide' that I used before because it's not the appropriate word to be used," Nofovaega told the court.

Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese asked Nofovaega why he had now changed his evidence and yet he voluntarily stood up before the court a month ago and stated that "FAST hid us."

Nofovaega responded that he was worried, scared and nervous, and that's why he just stood up and used the word "hide".

Justice Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke asked Nofovaega if he knew that when people lied to the court, they would face the consequences, and he said yes.

Nofovaega said on the first day of the matter, 8 December, 2025 they were told by a woman from Malaemalu that the case was finished, and that's why they went back home. On 15 December, he said a man named Falaila Pu'a Allan told them that the matter is finished and that's why they left.

He was asked why he didn't go to see a registrar or a police officer to confirm if the case was finished, and he said he just didn't understand what to do at court.

When the wife, Seu, gave evidence, she was crying and said: "I was scared, that's why I did not come, because I might be locked up by the police."

She said a man named Falaila told them that the case was finished.

"We were told at Tiavi on our way to court on 15 December by Falaila that the matter was finished, and so we went back home," Seu told the court.

The couple were informed by the court to reappear on 26 June for the court's decision.

Other respondents who took the stand included Seufaleupolu Aperila Fa'alotu, who was cleared of the contempt of court charge when he provided evidene that he has dialysis three days a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

He provided the court with confirmation from the Director of the National Kidney Foundation that he is actually a dialysis patient.

Another respondent, Tafaoimalo Filo Leavasa, was also cleared of the contempt of court charge. He said he was admitted to the hospital on 8 December 2025 for a heart condition.

His wife, Uilaao Saimau, was also cleared of the contempt of court charge because she was the one who took care of her husband, Tafaoimalo, when he was admitted to the hospital.

Another respondent, Rosa Lemusu of Saleilua, said she had filariasis and couldn't make it to court in December when the matter was called.

The hearing of evidence from all 50 respondents continues before the Supreme Court.