Results for Supreme Court

An application by ‘Akosita Lavulavu, supported by her husband ‘Etuate, for Acting Justice Langi to recuse herself from presiding over their re-trial later this month, was refused in a ruling on 18 October, at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

Seinivunga Lafo’ou (30) was sentenced to 20-months imprisonment, partially suspended, for forgery and theft of around $34,000 from her employer, National Rugby League Tonga, taken from a bank account in 46 systematic unauthorised withdrawals over 13-months. She tried to frame her co-worker for the theft. The funds stolen were a grant from the Government of Australia for the development of NRL in Tonga.

‘Uhila Tu’i (33), who is currently serving a prison term for firearm offences, was further sentenced to four and a half-years imprisonment for drug charges that included possession of 33.97 grams of methamphetamine seized in his van at Hala’ovave.

Andrew Motuliki (28) was sentenced to seven and a half-years imprisonment for supplying cocaine that washed up on beaches in Vava’u in 2021. The court heard that he played a significant role, when he involved others for reward, as he had some understanding of the scale of the operation.

Siaosi Havea (28) was sentenced to three-years five-months imprisonment for serious housebreaking and the theft of goods valued at $10,118 pa’anga from a shop at Poutaha. ““It is quite obvious from the defendant’s previous convictions that he is a habitual property offender and is a high risk of re-offending,” said the judge.

Two men have been jailed for the theft of Tongan koloa worth over $30,000 pa’anga and a vehicle in two separate incidents. While, a co-accused received a fully suspended sentence for receiving one of the stolen goods.

Tevita Lisiate (23) of Ha’ateiho was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm, due to insufficient evidence. It was alleged that he threw a stone that caused permanent blindness in a young woman’s right eye. A rock landed on her face. She didn't see who had thrown it, said the judge. There was no evidence as to the circumstances in which Tevita Lisiate was arrested. “If these observations on basic trial preparation are ignored, then victims of crime will continue to be denied a voice in the Criminal Justice System,” said the Judge.

A 45 year old man who exported methamphetamine from Tonga is the first person to receive a mandatory life sentence under a tough new drugs law. Nomani Kama Manulevu (45) from Nukuhetulu was sentenced to life imprisonment for the unlawful exportation of 29.7 kgs of methamphetamine that was concealed in a refrigerated container to New Zealand in 2021. 

‘Ilaisaane Kolo (19) was sentenced to eight-months imprisonment for the theft of $15,000 pa’anga, which was inside a handbag she stole from a woman at her home market in Ma'ufanga.