The sentencing of four Tongan nationals, including two former civil servants on charges in a Tongan passport forgery case was adjourned from today to be held on Friday, November 18 at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa. 

Ola Fieauna Tameifuna (55), Sosefo Sione ‘Ahohako (37), ‘Isileli Kaumavae (30) and Sioeli Heleta (26) who pleaded guilty, will be sentenced by Hon Mr Justice Cato.

The accused appeared before the judge this afternoon where their counsels made sentencing submissions.

All of the accused had initially pleaded not guilty but changed their pleas to guilty at the start of the trial in September, which involved the passport application using a forged Tongan birth certificate of a person who does not exist, “James Connor Tameifuna”.

Former civil servant ‘Isileli Kaumavae, who worked at the Registrar General's Office at the Ministry of Justice, had created a false Tongan birth certificate for this non-existent person. While another civil servant, Sosefo Sione ‘Ahohako who worked at the Magistrate’s Court Office made a false declaration that he knew the person.

Since late last year, Tonga Police have charged 12 people in alleged forgeries and illegal issuance of Tongan passports.