Results for Nuku'alofa Supreme Court

Kisina Neiufi (28) was sentenced to 21-months imprisonment for possession of 3.11 grams methamphetamine seized by Police, who received information that he was selling from his car in 'Utulau. His half-brother received a suspended sentence for a lesser count. “Given...the terrible harm this drug does and the lives it ruins in Tonga, the need for denunciation and deterrence is paramount,” said the judge.

Sitaleki Tu’itavake (48) was sentenced to four and a half-years imprisonment for possession of 2.87 grams of methamphetamine 
and 3,153.7 grams of cannabis in two separate incidents. The judge declined to suspend any part of the sentence. "All his recent history demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the law and the opportunities afforded to him for rehabilitation. With his escalating drug offending, he is also becoming a risk to himself and the community,” he said.

Hausia Vaka (43) was sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm, when he attacked and severely injured his neighbour's left hand with a machete at Makapaeo."What he did was attack a defenseless man on the ground and aimed a machete blow at his head, which in turn caused these life-changing injuries," said the judge.

‘Emeline Haisila (43) was sentenced today to two-years and three-months imprisonment for possession of 2.43 grams of methamphetamines and utensils. She told the court she was using it to stay awake to weave and earn money for her family.

A former police officer, Joshua Halafihi 'Anitema (31) was sentenced to seven-years imprisonment for raping a teenager, while she was in custody.

The Tonga Government will respect the decisions of the courts on electoral petitions, the Prime Minister, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, stated today after the Supreme Court voided the election of his Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Poasi Tei this morning. The PM made his statement after the May 16 date set by the Speaker for unseating members, in line with the court decisions, was deferred today “until further notice”.

A 69-year-old man was sentenced to five-years imprisonment for attempted rape of a 20-year-old woman on Tongatapu in 2021.

Two men, aged in their 20s, were spared death penalties and, instead, sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, after bludgeoning to death the victim, Fanaafi Misifane (35), at Holonga in 2019. A third man was sentenced to eight-years for manslaughter. The death was a tragedy, said the judge. “Mr Misifane was killed on the ground where he lay. Sudden and savage he had no chance at all.”

The election of Sione Sangster Saulala as the Tongatapu No. 7 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly has been declared void by the Lord Chief Justice, who this morning found that he committed bribery on two occasions, during the November 2021 General Election campaign. After his election Saulala was appointed as the current Minister for Internal Affairs. The Lord Chief Justice said Mr Saulala was an unimpressive witness. By Linny Folau.