Lord Tu'ivakano was sentenced today to two-years imprisonment, which was fully suspended, for charges relating to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals. He was also fined $4,000 for possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license. In sentencing, the Chief Justice also took into consideration the potential ramifications of s.37 of the Land Act, clause 23 of the Constitution and s.386 of the Companies Act. (If the prison sentence was more than two years the noble would lose his hereditary rights.)
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Results for Lord Tu'ivakano
Friday 24 April 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Friday 17 April 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's former Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano, will be sentenced on Friday, April 24 following his conviction on four counts, two of which relate to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals.
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Monday 9 March 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A jury of seven has found former Prime Minister Lord Tu‘ivakano guilty on three charges that include making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport and perjury, at the end of a 21-days trial at the Supreme Court. The accused will be sentenced next month.
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Friday 6 March 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Crown has dropped six charges of bribery and money laundering against Lord Tu'ivakano, in relation to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals. The jury trial proceeds next week on three remaining charges against the former Prime Minister.
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Wednesday 4 March 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lord Tu’ivakano has pleaded guilty this morning, March 4 to possession of an arm without a license. He will be sentenced on a later date.
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Wednesday 4 March 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lord Tu’ivakano has denied offences made against him relating to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals, when he gave evidence as the first witness for defense, on March 3.
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Monday 2 March 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The jury trial against Lord Tu'ivakano on offences relating to the issuance of Tongan passports continues in its fourth week, with the defence opening its case today, submitting insufficient evidence against the accused.
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Wednesday 26 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The jury trial against Lord Tu'ivakano on offences relating to the issuance of Tongan passports continues with revelations that legal advice from the then Acting Attorney General against the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese applicants was ignored. The court was told this was despite real concerns of criminal activity.
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Saturday 22 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The trial against Lord Tu'ivakano on offences relating to Tongan passports, heard from a Crown witness, that despite lack of concrete evidence to prove naturalisation in two passport applications, the accused still directed for their issuance.
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Tuesday 18 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The jury trial against Lord Tu’ivakano who is charged with 10 counts, mostly passport related offences is continuing, in its second week at the Supreme Court, in Nuku'alofa.
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Thursday 13 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The jury trial against Lord Tu’ivakano who is charged with 10 counts, mostly passport related offences continues at the Supreme Court, in Nuku'alofa.
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Tuesday 11 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lord Tu’ivakano has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges, five of which are for acceptance of a bribe by a government servant, at the start of his jury trial, at the Supreme Court today, February 11. By Linny Folau.
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Tuesday 11 February 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The trial of former Prime Minister Lord Tu‘ivakano, who is facing multiple charges in relation to passport offences, began on Monday 10 February and a jury has been selected and sworn in at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.
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Thursday 23 January 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The trial for Lord Tu’ivakano on charges relating to the issuance of Tongan passports starts on February 10, at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.
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Tuesday 3 December 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Separate trials will be held in 2020 for Lord Tu’ivakano and two other co-accused, who are charged with Tongan passport offences at the Supreme Court.
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Monday 28 October 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Crown is making an application to the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court to have a joint trial for Lord Tu'ivakano and two other co-accused. The hearing on the application will be held on November 15.
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Friday 25 October 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lord Tu'ivakano will now proceed to trial on 14 counts relating to the issuance of Tongan passports. This was after, a ruling today by Lord Chief Justice Michael Whitten, who found there is sufficient evidence to commit him for trial on eight out of the nine charges that the former Prime Minister challenged (the other six charges were not challenged).
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Saturday 12 October 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A Supreme Court ruling will be delivered on October 25 on an application by Lord Tu‘ivakano to strike out nine of the 15 charges against him, relating to the issuance of Tongan passports.
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Wednesday 11 September 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An application by Lord Tu'ivakano to strike out several of the charges against him will be heard on October 9 at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.
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Wednesday 14 August 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Transforming education to make it more inclusive and accessible for all youths, was at the forefront of a National Youth Dialogue held in Nuku'alofa, today 14 August. In Tonga, more than one third of the population is under 15-years-old. By Linny Folau.
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