Results for From the Courts

Hateni Kaufusi (32) who is charged with murder in relation to the death of Tolifili Tu'alau (27), appeared at the Nukunuku Magistrate’s Court on February 8, and was moved to Hu'atolitoli Prison until February 15.

Hekisou Fifita (48) who pleaded guilty and was convicted of carrying a .22 rifle inside a bar in Nuku’alofa with the intention to commit an offence, received a fully suspended sentence on January 26, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

A former administration officer for the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku'alofa, Selemana Fonua (39), was found guilty of false accounting and theft of $21,299 pa’anga by the Tonga Supreme Court. She awaits sentencing on 19 February 2018.

'Etuate Lavulavu is to pay Viliami Latu the sum of $69,319.90 after Justice O. G. Paulsen on 8 January 2018 dismissed an application by ‘Etuate Lavulavu for the Supreme Court to change a “Consent Order” that came into effective on 11 August 2017. The judge ruled that "Mr Latu is entitled to say 'enough is enough'."

A dispute by two of the sons of the four Wight brothers who had co-leased a property in central Tongatapu, highlighted the need for the Ministry of Lands to review the drafting of such leases and how to deal with them upon the death of co-lessees, President Owen G. Paulsen of the Land Court of Tonga, stressed in a decision on 18 December 2017. His decision also showed that family members cannot automatically assume entitlement to a lease on the death of the lessee, without having followed the requirements of the Probate Act, which requires an application for Letters of Administration of a deceased's estate.

Mumuhu Pou’uhila (18) was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm to Nelesoni Tu’itavake, when he threw a brick hitting his face causing him to go blind in the eye.

Tonga's Land Court ruled that a private money lender, the Wallaces, had no legal interest in the lease or in the proceeds of sale of a property lease held by Lucy Ana Ilaiu. In making the ruling the President of the Land Court, Lord Chief Justice O. G. Paulsen warned that it is not open to persons to use legal processes, such as the procedure for lodging caveats, unreasonably or for improper purposes.

Tevita Fifita was found guilty of using a vehicle with an unauthorized licence plate and was discharged without conviction on the basis that he pay to court $200 pa’anga compensation, which he had done when a verdict was delivered by a Supreme Court judge on November 17.

A man accused of reckless driving has been found not guilty in relation to a fatal car crash in Pahu last year that left a driver dead. The accused was alleged to have been in a “race” with the victim. However Hon. Justice Cato in the Supreme Court of Tonga on 25 October, dismissed the charge as he said there was no sufficient evidence.