The Chief Justice, his Honour Satiu Simativa Perese, will return to Samoa next year, after medical treatment in New Zealand has taken longer than expected to be completed. 

The Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Chief Executive Officer, Moliei Simi Vaai confirmed that Justice Satiu would now not arrive back in Samoa until next year in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. 

The first signs of Justice Satiu's health problems began when he was originally discharged from the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital after seeking treatment in late September.

He then left Samoa in early October. In an email to other members of the national judiciary, he explained the decision of his departure arrived at after a thorough assessment by a cardiologist. 

“Typically, this treatment takes between 3 to 4 weeks,” he said at the time. 

This week, Mrs, Vaai told the Samoa Observer the Chief Justice is recuperating at his residence after surgery in Auckland New Zealand. 

“His Honourable [Chief Justice] has informed us that he is recuperating at home after surgery.  “He is planning to return back in January 2021 after recovery and medical checks,” said the C.E.O. 

"On the first week, of October, his Honour was hospitalised, prior to leaving for New Zealand. At the time, the C.E.O. said: “he was hospitalised, he had flu-like symptoms and I believe he was due for a heart checkup.”  

The Chief Justice was appointed in late March and he arrived in the country in May.

He was sworn into office in June, 2020. 

Requests for comment sent directly to the Chief Justice on the progress of his recuperation were not responded to on Friday.