Apia, SAMOA — The hearing of a $700,000 lawsuit brought by Reverend Opapo Soanai Oeti and his daughter, Toaipupuaga, against the Samoa Observer was held in the Supreme Court yesterday.

Supreme Court Judge, Justice Mata Tuatagaloa, presided. Rev. Opapo and his daughter, who maintained she is carrying the marks of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, also commonly referred to as the stigmata, were represented by lawyer, Muriel Lui. 

The Samoa Observer was represented by Su’a Hellene Wallwork, of Wallwork Lamb Lawyers.

The lawsuit targets the publication by the Samoa Observer of a letter to the editor titled “Stop this madness” written by pseudonym M.R. in the Samoa Observer’s edition of 29th March 2017. The letter in question was an online comment, in response to a story titled ”Church stigmata row deepens.” 

The plaintiffs claim the letter was defamatory, and that by the Samoa Observer publishing it, it printed a similar piece that had been posted on the Ole Palemia blog.

Rev. Opapo and his daughter are asking for general damages of $400,000, aggravated damages of $200,000, punitive damages of $100,000 and costs.

In his evidence yesterday, Rev. Opapo told the Court the letter in question – and what had been posted on Ole Palemia - harmed his reputation and caused hurt to his family.

The matter has been adjourned until 20 March 2019 for final submissions.

Read more at Samoa Observer