You are here

Results for From the Courts

Tuesday 9 August 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three Tongan Cabinet Ministers have lost their appeals against court decisions that declared their election results void. Eight judgments from a Special Court of Appeal session, held last month, were released late this afternoon in Nuku'alofa. The Appeal Court said, “If there is a lesson to be learned, candidates for an election should be astute not to make any gifts within three-months of an election...Rather they should withhold their largesse until after the election.” Some of the other appeals were also dismissed.
Node is premium Premium content
Monday 8 August 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kisina Neiufi (28) was sentenced to 21-months imprisonment for possession of 3.11 grams methamphetamine seized by Police, who received information that he was selling from his car in 'Utulau. His half-brother received a suspended sentence for a lesser count. “Given...the terrible harm this drug does and the lives it ruins in Tonga, the need for denunciation and deterrence is paramount,” said the judge.
Node is premium Premium content
Thursday 4 August 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two men who were acquitted of possessing 2.19 grams of methamphetamine but were found guilty on lesser counts received suspended sentences, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.
Node is premium Premium content
Thursday 4 August 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kaluseti Holani (22) was sentenced to four-years eight-months imprisonment for several offences, including causing serious bodily harm, when he discharged a firearm injuring two young men, at Afa in January this year. The Lord Chief Justice said the accused was fortunate not to have been charged with attempted murder. Even though a complaint had been filed to Mu'a police, the same rifle was used in this second incident. There were no attempts by the police to resolve the issues.
Node is premium Premium content
Tuesday 2 August 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kalolaine Fainga’a (30) was sentenced to two-years imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of electronic goods valued at around $12,095 pa’anga. A stolen iPad was tracked by GPS to a home in Tokomololo and then Police recovered all the other stolen electronic equipment from a shop. A co-accused was charged with receiving stolen property.
Node is premium Premium content
Tuesday 2 August 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Judgments will be issued in due course, after a Special Court of Appeal last week heard election appeals by four current members of parliament and Cabinet Ministers, who were found guilty of bribery in the lead up to the 2021 November By-Election.
Node is premium Premium content
Monday 1 August 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sitaleki Tu’itavake (48) was sentenced to four and a half-years imprisonment for possession of 2.87 grams of methamphetamine 
and 3,153.7 grams of cannabis in two separate incidents. The judge declined to suspend any part of the sentence. "All his recent history demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the law and the opportunities afforded to him for rehabilitation. With his escalating drug offending, he is also becoming a risk to himself and the community,” he said.
Node is premium Premium content
Friday 29 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A suspended Senior Customs Officer, Paula Naitoko (62), was found guilty today of importing substantial amount of methamphetamine and firearms, concealed in a box from the United States in 2019. “6662 grams of methamphetamine was a huge shipment." said the judge. Naitoko remains on bail for sentencing on 23 September.
Node is premium Premium content
Thursday 28 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Rodney Toki (28) who is currently serving a lengthy jail term for a string of armed robberies, at Chinese-run shops in Tonga, has been sentenced to five-years and four-months imprisonment for other offences in a crime spree that spanned from late July until the end of August 2021.
Node is premium Premium content
Wednesday 27 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Mrs Petunia Tupou KC will be sworn in as a new judge of the Supreme Court of Tonga on 1 August, following the retirement of Hon. Mr Justice Laki Niu.
Node is premium Premium content
Wednesday 27 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Hausia Vaka (43) was sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm, when he attacked and severely injured his neighbour's left hand with a machete at Makapaeo."What he did was attack a defenseless man on the ground and aimed a machete blow at his head, which in turn caused these life-changing injuries," said the judge.
Node is premium Premium content
Tuesday 26 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Vincent Mavaetangi Niua (51) was sentenced to eight-years imprisonment for attempted murder of a woman, with whom he was in a defacto relationship. “In my view, it is more likely that he was feeling scorned by the complainant having ended the relationship and, consistent with his egotistically controlling manner, was intent on revenge and subjugation by ending her life. ...His actions can only be described as appalling and sadistic,” said the Judge.
Node is premium Premium content
Tuesday 26 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nganga e Hau Lao (55) received a suspended sentence of one year for cultivation of 43 cannabis plants seized at his home in Tatakamotonga. Police raided the defendant's home address and found him sitting on the floor of his living room reading the bible. The cannabis plants were found growing behind his home.
Node is premium Premium content
Monday 25 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Special Court of Appeal this week will include four appeals from Tongatapu People's Representatives to the Legislative Assembly, who were certified to have committed bribery in the lead up to the 2021 November General Election.
Node is premium Premium content
Thursday 21 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Bruno Latu (27) was sentenced to 27-months imprisonment for offences that included possession of a pistol without a license and 1.72 grams of methamphetamine.
Node is premium Premium content
Monday 18 July 2022

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.
Node is premium Premium content
Friday 15 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Alefosio Vaingaina (44) was sentenced to six-years imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of Tongan koloa, valued at around $22,800 from the Royal Palace in Vava'u. The judge said it would appear that this is the first published case of housebreaking and theft perpetrated against the Royal family.
Node is premium Premium content
Tuesday 5 July 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Titali To’ia (37) is the man charged in the death of Netane Nimo (26) from a road accident on Taufa‘ahau Road, Veitongo on Saturday night, 18 June.
Node is premium Premium content
Friday 24 June 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Petelo Mo’unga (25) was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment for possession of 26.98 grams of cocaine and 0.07 grams of methamphetamine.
Node is premium Premium content
Wednesday 22 June 2022

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two men who were acquitted of possessing 2.19 grams of methamphetamine were found guilty on lesser counts at the Supreme Court. A co-accused died at Vaiola Hospital, after a high speed vehicle chase followed by on-foot pursuit with Tonga Police on another matter, during the time of the trial.
Node is premium Premium content

Pages