‘Etuate Lavulavu and his school the ‘Unuaki-‘o-Tonga Royal Institute vacated the Tonga National Centre compound at Tofoa on Friday, 12 December, as ordered by Tonga's Court of Appeal.

‘Etuate Lavulavu, who was recently elected to parliament as the Vava’u No.16 People’s Representative, is the founder of the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga. He had been operating the centre and running his institute there since 2009, when the government awarded him a contract for the premises

Appeal

However on 31 October, the Appeal Court ordered the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga and Lavulavu to vacate the National Centre on or before 12 December.

Prior to this on 25 July, the Chief Justice Hon Scott made an interlocutory order in a civil case brought by the Kingdom of Tonga that required vacant possession be given within 28-days of the centre occupied by Lavulavu and the school.

The Chief Justice stayed his order until further notice after Lavulavu filed his appeal.

But when the appeal was called Lavulavu's counsel advised the Appeal Court that by consent they withdraw their appeal. The Director of Public Prosecutions ‘Aminiasi Kefu confirmed his consent and did not seek costs.

The parties then agreed to extend time to vacate the building to December 12, 2014.

The centre was closed today with the main gates locked and only the security guard was visible from inside the premises.