By Linny Folau

‘Inoke Siolongo Filivaolelei Tonga (27) has pleaded guilty to the murder of Polikalepo (Poli) Kefu (41), at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court this morning, September 2.

The accused pleaded before Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC, and remained detained in police custody for sentencing on October 6.

The murder charge was that on May 1 this year at Tatakamotonga, the accused caused the victim's death by repeatedly hitting his face with a rock.

Poli, from Lapaha, was not only a respected Tonga Red Cross communications officer, but was President of the Tonga Leitis Association, who was widely recognised for working tirelessly as a humanitarian and human rights advocate in Tonga and the Pacific Islands region.

The accused who was living in Halaleva, is originally from Fungamisi, Vava'u.