Four Tongan nationals, including two former civil servants who pleaded guilty to charges in a Tongan passport forgery case were all sent to Hu'atolitoli Prison on Friday, November 18 after being sentenced at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

Ola Fieauna Tameifuna (55) of Kolofo’ou, Sosefo Sione ‘Ahohako (37) of Longolongo, ‘Isileli Kaumavae (30) of ‘Utulau and Sioeli Heleta (26) of Kolofo’ou were sentenced by Hon Mr Justice Cato.

‘Isileli who worked at the Registrar General’s office at the Ministry of Justice pleaded guilty to one court of forgery when he created a Tongan birth certificate for James Connor Tameifuna, a person who does not exist on September 11, 2015.

He was sentenced to two-years imprisonment with the last 12-months suspended.

Sioeli who pleaded guilty to causing to be made a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport, when he instructed his co-offender Ola to write a letter to Tonga Immigration stating she was James's mother.

He was sentenced to two-years and three-months imprisonment, with the last 12-months suspended

Sosefo who was working at the Magistrate Court's office was sentenced to two-years and nine-months imprisonment, with the last 12-months suspended for obtaining a passport by making a false declaration.

Ola the only female offender was sentenced to two-years in prison for one count of obtaining a passport by making a false statement.

Passport investigation

Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell said today’s sentencing sent a very clear message about the seriousness of the offending and a deterrent to people tempted to commit such crime in the future.

The investigation by Tonga Police into alleged fraudulent activities over issuing of Tongan passports began on August 25, 2015 at the direction of the Police Commissioner.

The Passport Taskforce is headed by Deputy Commissioner Viliami ‘Unga Fa’aoa staffed by 16 police investigators.

Since the start of the Passport Taskforce there have been 19 arrests made on wide ranging charges that are now before the courts, including the recent arrests of 6 Georgian nationals for knowingly dealing with forged documents. 

“The police are taking these matters of national security very seriously indeed. The role of police is to maintain law and order and uphold the rule of law and in doing so police investigate crime by gathering the best evidence available to support the prosecution of any charges laid by police in a Court of Law."

He said because of the complexities and wide scope of this investigation, the completion of this investigation has taken some time and may take some time to bring to a conclusion. He also recognised public interest in this matter, but asked for responsibility and restraint in public commentary, through the media.

"There are now a number of individuals before the Courts and they are entitled to a fair trial, based on the evidence put before the Courts. Also, unhelpful speculative public comments impact on the integrity of the police investigation."

Commissioner Caldwell confirmed there has been no report of illegal passports being issued since the Task Force Investigation started.

"The Passport Taskforce Investigation continues and there’s likely to be more arrests made in the near future."