Results for Nuku'alofa Supreme Court

‘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.

A 68-year-old man was sentenced to three-years imprisonment for three counts of serious indecent assault committed on a minor in 2021. The judge said young girls must be protected from sexual assaults and indecencies. He ordered that there should be no publication of any particulars relating to the victim, whereby her name or identity may be revealed.

Siaosi Faingata’a (24) of Navutoka was fined by the Court $500 for fishing in the Manuka Special Management Area, in a neighbouring village where he was not a resident, in the eastern district of Tongatapu.

Tupou Tafuna (39) was acquitted on four counts that included possession of 6.78 grams of methamphetamine and permitting the use of his house in Sopu for drug dealing, after it was not proven beyond reasonable doubt at the Supreme Court.