The Supreme Court of Tonga has ruled in favour of a civil claim brought by the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs against the Public Service Commission, who unlawfully initiated serious disciplinary action against her. In his ruling the Lord Chief Justice Whitten KC. considered that there were many problems with the regulations - saying the wording in some regulations is "nonsensical". He also said the PSC was in breach of a requirement to appoint a CEO for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Results for Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC
Friday 28 July 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Monday 18 July 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
'Osaiasi Naulumatua (38) was sentenced to two two-years two-months imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm, that indirectly resulted in the death of another man. He is very fortunate not to have not been charged with manslaughter. This is yet another sad and tragic case where a violent, alcohol fuelled, outburst has resulted, at least indirectly, in death, said the Lord Chief Justice.
Premium contentChief Justice dismisses $5.75 million damages claim by Lord Tu'ivakano in ‘Tongan passports scandal’
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nuku'alofa’s Supreme Court has thrown out a civil claim by a former Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano, who was seeking $5.75 million pa'anga in damages from the Kingdom of Tonga and others, for alleged “malicious prosecution” of him on criminal charges relating to the so-called ‘Tongan Passports Scandal’. The Lord Chief Justice M. H. Whitten, in a 78-page judgment on 28 October, set out details of how the passports investigation began and listed evidence collected by the Serious Organised Transnational Crime Unit. “I find that there was no evidence of any improper purpose for the prosecution. The only purpose discernible from the evidence was the proper invocation of the criminal law,” he stated.
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Thursday 28 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sione Moli (35) was sentenced today to three-years imprisonment for possession of 6.91 grams of methamphetamine seized by Tonga Police, after receiving information that he was selling from his home in Nukunuku. Another nine-months was added for his breach of his suspension on the previous case. A co-offender received a suspended sentence.
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Friday 21 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Maka Latu (35) was sentenced today to eight-years imprisonment for 16 offences, including possession of 50.22 grams of methamphetamine. In one incident he had resisted arrest and Police shot the tyres of his vehicle. "In my view, those who import, manufacture, distribute or supply illicit drugs are currently one of the greatest threats to the physical, mental and spiritual health of the people of Tonga and its social fabric and cohesion." said the Chief Justice.
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Friday 21 May 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Vunga Fusikata (34) was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm when he punched Pita Fuoleva (45) causing permanent blindness in his left eye. "Such an act is often described colloquially as a coward's punch,” said the judge. The accused will be sentenced on June 4.
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