Results for Supreme Court

Tupou Saulala Haupeakui (27) was sentenced today to a suspended sentence of nine-months imprisonment for possessing 0.46 grams of methamphetamine, seized at Kolomotu'a in 2020. The judge said the producers, suppliers and dealers of the drugs needed “young foolish persons like you to sell the drugs for them”.

The Governor of Ha'apai, Viliami Manuopangai Hingano (46) was today fined $12,500 pa’anga for unlawful possession of 198kg of turtle meat seized at Queen Salote Wharf in 2020. A Supreme Court judge said the accused tried to hide the fact that he was a party to the proposed commercial sale of the uncertified meat of the endangered species. He denounced his offending: “You appear to think that you did not do anything wrong, that you were quite innocent. I want to assure you, that what you did wrong was that you failed to ask ...you ought to have refused to have possession of the turtle meat!"

The trial against current Cabinet Minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband 'Etuate Lavulavu is going ahead, after a Supreme Court judge ruled there is a criminal case to answer against both of them on all three counts. They are jointly charged with obtaining over $500,000 pa'anga by false pretences, relating to a number of irregularities in an audit at the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute. It is alleged that the couple knowingly falsified student applications in order to claim TVET grants.

Toutai Mafile’o was sentenced to two-years imprisonment, which was fully suspended for dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm to his passenger in 2020 at Mu'a. He was intoxicated.

Repeat offender, Creed (Kuliti) Tongamoa has been sentenced to 15-months imprisonment for possession of 0.17 grams of methamphetamine and possession of an unlicensed high powered assault rifle and ammunition.

'Alovili Kolo (47) was sentenced to five-years 10-months imprisonment for raping a woman in Tongatapu in 2018.

The trial against a current Cabinet Minister and People’s Representative to Parliament, ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, also a former Cabinet Minister, started on April 12 at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court. The couple have pleaded not guilty to three joint counts of obtaining a total of over $500,000 pa'anga by false pretences.

Manavahetau Fua’eiki (42) who was convicted of possession of methamphatamine was sentenced to one-year nine-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended on conditions at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

In light of recent media reports that the Courts are imposing more suspended sentences due to overcrowding in Tonga's prison system, the following clarification is provided for the information of the public and better understanding: 1. The Courts do not suspend sentences because of prison overcrowding. 2. Provision of adequate prison facilities and related services is the responsibility of the Executive Government. 3. Upholding the rule of law and administering justice in the Kingdom is the responsibility of the Judiciary and the Courts. .... Michael Whitten QC, Lord Chief Justice of the Kingdom of Tonga.