Results for Supreme Court

The election of Dr Pohiva Tu’i'onetoa as the Tongatapu No.10 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly has been declared void by a Supreme Court judge, who this afternoon found that the former Prime Minister committed the offence of bribery on one occasion, in the lead up to the November 2021 General Election.

Pita Vakalahi (28) will be sentenced on 1 June, after he was found guilty of demanding a bribe of $640 pa'anga from a driver in a traffic offence case he worked on in 2019.

A High Court of New Zealand judgment against a former Governor of Vava'u, Lord Fulivai and his wife Lady Helen Fulivai to pay NZD$253,370 to a creditor has been registered with the Supreme Court of Tonga, under a ruling on March 8 by Lord Chief Justice Whitten.

Mikaele Hoponoa Pahulu (42) was sentenced to 11 years and 7 months imprisonment for manslaughter in a sadistic, brutally violent attack on a frail 71-year-old patient at the Psychiatric Ward in Vaiola Hospital. “This was manslaughter just short of murder, possibly only because that was not charged. Why murder was not charged has never been explained,” said the Supreme Court judge. “It is just barbaric.” Another person stood alongside, watched and walked away leaving the victim unconscious on the ground.

Tupou Haupeakui who is charged with possession of equipment in relation to an offence against the Illicit Drugs Control Act was remitted to the Magistrate's Court for re-trial before another Magistrate, after his case was dismissed at the lower court. The prosecution brought this appeal to the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court against a decision of Magistrate Tu'akalau on 6 July this year.

Kepilini Pole’o (28) was sentenced to 16 months-imprisonment for destruction of evidence and possession of 0.13 grams of methamphetamines seized at Vaini. This was fully suspended on conditions.

Rick Riechelmann (60) was sentenced to 21-months imprisonment for possession of cannabis seized at his home in Fangaloto. The sentence was fully suspended after the judge considered the health issues the defendant faced. The defendant admitted he was smoking cannabis for pain relief and taking it palliatively.

Kepilini Pole’o was found guilty of possessing 0.13 grams of methamphetamine seized at a residence in Vaini, after Tonga Police raided a house, after receiving information that drugs were being sold from there. Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC found the accused guilty on the possession offence on September 1, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court

Netane Taufa (29) was sentenced to one-year imprisonment for cultivation of 23 cannabis plants that were seized at a residence in Nukunuku. The sentence was fully suspended on conditions.