The second and final session of Tonga's Court of Appeal for this year concluded today, September 23.

The session which began on Monday, September 20 proceeded with President Whitten sitting from Nuku'alofa, while Justice Randerson, Justice Hansen and Justice White appeared via audio-visual link from abroad.

Eleven cases were heard including land, criminal and civil appeals.

Judgements will be delivered in due course. 

Meanwhile, the Lavulavu couple's appeal was not in this session. It is expected their appeal will be heard in the next session in 2022.

On July 2, the former Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism ‘Akosita (36) and her husband ’Etuate (62) were sentenced to six-years imprisonment each, on joint counts of obtaining money by false pretences, relating to a number of irregularities in an audit at the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute, which they owned and operate.