Results for Nuku'alofa Supreme Court

Siuta Taufa (25) was sentenced to four-years six-months imprisonment for reckless driving causing the death of his 20-year-old male passenger at Malapo in 2021. He was driving in excessive speed, while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

A former Senior Customs Officer, Paula Naitoko (68), was sentenced on 21 October to six-years imprisonment for importing a substantial amount of methamphetamine and firearms, concealed in a box from the United States in 2019.

A prolific offender, ‘Okusitino Langi (49), who is serving a lengthy prison term for drug offences, received additional time for similar offending in prison, totalling nine-years imprisonment, after being sentenced on 14 October. The Lord Chief Justice said the circumstances of this offending were troubling. “For the defendant to have been able to possess and sell drugs in prison suggests real operational deficiencies in security within the prison.”

Viliami Wight (27) and Samiuela Mahina (22) have been jailed for possession of 6.8 grams and 1.14 grams of methamphetamine respectively, seized at a residence in Veitongo by Tonga Police, who suspected their drug dealing in 2021.

Hateni Kaufusi was found not guilty of theft of a car and robbery of cash at a petrol station on Hihifo Road, after the Prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

Nesiasi Kamoto (49) was found guilty of discharging a a .22 rifle to intimidate his relatives, who were living at his tax allotment in Tofoa. He will be sentenced at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. on 28 October. “This should be a salient reminder to owners and licensed holders how important it is to ensure safe and secure storage of firearms," said the judge.

Jailed offender Siosaia Hungalu (27) was sentenced to three-years imprisonment for the housebreaking and theft of Tongan mats, valued at around $13,900 pa'anga, from a residence in Kolofo’ou. He is serving time for other offences.

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.