Results for Supreme Court

A new date is to be set for the joint trial of the Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism Hon ‘Akosita Lavulavu and husband ‘Etuate, at the Supreme Court.

Lord Tu'ivakano was sentenced today to two-years imprisonment, which was fully suspended, for charges relating to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals. He was also fined $4,000 for possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license. In sentencing, the Chief Justice also took into consideration the potential ramifications of s.37 of the Land Act, clause 23 of the Constitution and s.386 of the Companies Act. (If the prison sentence was more than two years the noble would lose his hereditary rights.)

Tonga's former Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano, will be sentenced on Friday, April 24 following his conviction on four counts, two of which relate to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals.

Fanguna Alalea (33) was sentenced to three-years imprisonment for offering a bribe to another police officer to take drugs from the Police exhibit room last July. This was in regards to a case concerning Sione Filipe Jr. “A police officer seeking to corrupt another police officer, is in my view, one of the most disgraceful acts imaginable,” said the Chief Justice.

Fainga Lavulo Tengange (32) was sentenced to six-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for possession of 0.38 grams of methamphetamine, when arrested in Ngele’ia.

A jury of seven has found former Prime Minister Lord Tu‘ivakano guilty on three charges that include making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport and perjury, at the end of a 21-days trial at the Supreme Court. The accused will be sentenced next month.

Lord Tu’ivakano has pleaded guilty this morning, March 4 to possession of an arm without a license. He will be sentenced on a later date.

The jury trial against Lord Tu'ivakano on offences relating to the issuance of Tongan passports continues with revelations that legal advice from the then Acting Attorney General against the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese applicants was ignored. The court was told this was despite real concerns of criminal activity.

The trial against Lord Tu'ivakano on offences relating to Tongan passports, heard from a Crown witness, that despite lack of concrete evidence to prove naturalisation in two passport applications, the accused still directed for their issuance.