Results for Supreme Court

Lesieli Namoa as a judgment debtor in a civil case brought by Siosaia Moehau was found to have assets including a lease of Loumaile Lodge, funds of $160,000 pa'anga and Sakura Company Ltd.. While Namoa claimed that she did not have a bank account, the judge noted that her income “is clouded in mystery” and it may be a device to avoid her assets and money being traced.

Talifolau Letisi received a suspended sentence for being in charge of motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

Falakiko Uatahausi (40) was jailed for six months for possession of 1.33 grams of methamphetamine, seized on him at the Tonga Institute of Higher Education in Pahu, where he was working as a security guard.

Tevita Matangi (32) is serving four and a half years imprisonment for two charges of causing grievous bodily harm to Mateaki Hafoka (29) and Sikuvea Fifita (26), when he attacked them with a machete during a drunken altercation in Talau, Vava'u in 2023.

A former Deputy CEO of Tourism, Mary Magdalena Tafa Fifita was successful in her civil action, after a Supreme Court judge quashed the Public Service Commission's decision to dismiss and charge her with 27 charges of serious breach of discipline. The judge found that the charging process relied on a flawed investigation. In this case it was necessary for the PSC, to prove their charges, not for the person accused to disprove them. “The inquiry, did not ask itself the right questions,” stated the judge.

Palatoni Laimani (37) is serving six years and six months in prison for possession of 155.90 grams of methamphetamine, seized in a police raid at his home in Hofoa. “It stands to reason that Mr. Laimani was dealing with others more heavily involved in illicit drug supply and so in turn, he forms part of serious organised criminal network,” stated the Judge.

‘Ofa Tongia (27) is serving 12 months imprisonment and ‘Ilaisaane Kolo (23) seven months imprisonment for drugs and utensils offences. Their co-accused received a suspended sentence for possession of utensils.

Maka Sole Funaki (38) was jailed for nine months for the theft of a red Massey Ferguson tractor worth at $56,200 and possession of a 12 gauge shotgun and ammunition in two separate offences on Tongatapu.

Taulanga Nonu was jailed for five and a half years for serious housebreaking, theft and serious arson of the Teta Tours building in the Central Business District. His co-accused, Molitoni Moimoi was sentenced to three years and two months in jail. The Lord Chief Justice considered that Nonu had destroyed property worth no less than $1 million, while Moimoi had a deplorable history of previous offending.