The Minister of Police, Hon. Paula Piveni Piukala, has been temporarily suspended from all ministerial duties, the Prime Minister's Office announced today. The Prime Minister stated that the suspension would allow an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commissioner into serious allegations against the Cabinet Minister to proceed “in the interest of procedural fairness and institutional propriety.”

He has temporarily suspended Piukala from all three of his ministerial portfolios including his roles as the Minister for Police, Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, and Minister for Public Enterprises, as from 8 December 2025.

The PM Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke stated that the suspension related to a formal report received by the Prime Minister from the Anti-Corruption Commissioner (ACC) regarding serious allegations involving the conduct of the Minister for Police.

The ACC advised that a preliminary investigation is underway into claims that the Minister improperly intervened in the enforcement of a court order prohibiting an individual from departing Tonga.

“The allegations were found to be serious. As such, it was deemed necessary that the Minister be temporarily suspended from all Ministerial duties pending the outcome of the investigation, in the interest of procedural fairness and institutional propriety.

“The ACC is proceeding with the investigation as a matter of urgency and that all parties will be afforded a full and fair opportunity for representation.

“This measure is taken to uphold public confidence in the integrity of Government’s legal and governance institutions and ensure procedural fairness during the inquiry.”

The Prime Minister said that his Government would cooperate fully with the ACC throughout this process.

Tonga Police

Earlier, on 11 November, the Commissioner of Police, Geoff Turner, stated that  Tonga Police had conducted preliminary enquiries into the alleged actions of the Minister of Police, which resulted in the departure of an individual from Tonga who was the subject of an ongoing court matter and under a court order prohibiting the man from leaving Tonga,

He stated that it was determined that the investigation was better suited to the Anti-Corruption Commission, and it had been handed over to the ACC, “In the interests of transparency and to avoid any potential conflict of interest.”

“Tonga Police are in the process of providing a briefing to the ACC and to hand over relevant documentation in support of this investigation,” he stated.

All the investigations are subject to confidentiality.