Results for ‘Akilisi Pohiva

A fist-fight broke out in the Tongan Parliament on Wednesday 28 July, between two Members 'Etuate Lavulavu and 'Akilisi Pohiva, resulting in their suspension from the House.

‘Akilisi Pohiva, the controversial, Tongatapu no. 1 People’s Representative to the Tongan parliament won his most serious court battle ever when a jury cleared him and his associates on May 19 on charges of crimes against the state. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.

In going to press, Mr Justice A. D. Ford in the Supreme Court of Tonga heard final submissions On August 1, in the civil case against the Tonga Government and the Minister of Police for unlawful imprisonment of a Member of Parliament, and two local journalists. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 2, August 2002.

Tongans responded with shock and outrage after the New Zealand Foreign Ministry publicly accused the Tongan government of corruption, expressing concern about the state of democracy in the country and saying that the Tongan government appeared reluctant to introduce constitutional changes. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 17, no. 1, May 2002.

‘Akilisi Pohiva has been a controversial political figure ever since he first entered Parliament in 1987, not only because of his indifference to the rules and procedures of the House, but also for his outspoken and controversial comments about Cabinet ministers, the King and members of the Royal family. They are comments that have cost him tens of thousands of pa‘anga in lawyers’ fees and court awards for the defamed over the last decade. Interview and photos by Pesi Fonua. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 2, May 1999.