Results for From the Courts

William Clive Edwards won an appeal to dismiss a Magistrate's ruling over an unsuccessful 2012 defamation action he brought against the Kele'a and its publishers. The Lord Chief Justice on June 6 in granting Edwards's appeal said the Kele'a allegations were false and it was no excuse for 'Akilisi Pohiva to write one thing while saying that he meant to refer to something else.

Four men were sentenced to prison for the cultivation and possession of 3894 cannabis plants at a substantial plantation in Matahau on May 4, 2017. Mr Justice Cato also noted that the Tongan courts are experiencing an increased number of drug prosecutions

Former Minister of Internal Affairs ‘Akosita Lavulavu, and her husband, a former Cabinet Minister, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, who are facing fraud charges had their case adjourned to June 25.

Sonatane Motu'apuaka Uaisele (29) was acquitted by jurors of grievous bodily harm after he was accused of striking a woman with a machete in 2017.

Two tourism operators in Vava'u, who are embroiled in a bitter lawsuit had their civil cases adjourned again to May 16, at the Magistrate’s Court in Neiafu.

The Tonga Supreme Court has set aside a default judgment in a $2.1 million civil lawsuit against a Tongan business woman Lucy Anna ‘Ilaiu, stating that the case should be heard in New Zealand and not in Tonga.

The Land Court has ruled for the Kingdom of Tonga (Government) to pay $99,716 pa’anga to Siosifa Mosa'ati Uhi in compensation for overburden soil unlawfully removed from his tax allotment in Fua'amotu.

Two tourism operators in Vava'u, who are embroiled in a bitter lawsuit, had their civil cases adjourned to May 9, at the Magistrate’s Court in Neiafu.

The summary trial against four police officers charged with common assault during the arrest of a group of youths was adjourned after a video footage of the alleged assault was admitted into evidence, at the Fasi Magistrate's Court.