Vincent Mavaetangi Niua (51) was sentenced to eight-years imprisonment for attempted murder of a woman, with whom he was in a defacto relationship. “In my view, it is more likely that he was feeling scorned by the complainant having ended the relationship and, consistent with his egotistically controlling manner, was intent on revenge and subjugation by ending her life. ...His actions can only be described as appalling and sadistic,” said the Judge.
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Results for Supreme Court
Tuesday 26 July 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Tuesday 26 July 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nganga e Hau Lao (55) received a suspended sentence of one year for cultivation of 43 cannabis plants seized at his home in Tatakamotonga. Police raided the defendant's home address and found him sitting on the floor of his living room reading the bible. The cannabis plants were found growing behind his home.
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Monday 18 July 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
'Osaiasi Naulumatua (38) was sentenced to two two-years two-months imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm, that indirectly resulted in the death of another man. He is very fortunate not to have not been charged with manslaughter. This is yet another sad and tragic case where a violent, alcohol fuelled, outburst has resulted, at least indirectly, in death, said the Lord Chief Justice.
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Friday 24 June 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Petelo Mo’unga (25) was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment for possession of 26.98 grams of cocaine and 0.07 grams of methamphetamine.
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Wednesday 22 June 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two men who were acquitted of possessing 2.19 grams of methamphetamine were found guilty on lesser counts at the Supreme Court. A co-accused died at Vaiola Hospital, after a high speed vehicle chase followed by on-foot pursuit with Tonga Police on another matter, during the time of the trial.
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Sunday 19 June 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kaumavae Fakaanga (35) was sentenced to seven-years imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm, when he injured a man with a machete at Tokomololo in 2021. As a result of his injuries, the complainant's left hand was amputated.
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Saturday 11 June 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Hotili Saafi (27) was sentenced to 20-months imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of goods valued at $4,860 pa’anga, at a home he broke into numerous times in Fua'amotu. He entered the home through the ceiling causing major damage.
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Friday 3 June 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Alefosio Vaiangina (44) will be sentenced in July after he was convicted of housebreaking and theft of Tongan fine mats valued at $28,400 pa'anga from the Royal Palace in Vava’u.
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Friday 27 May 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei and former Prime Minister Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, both Members of Parliament have each been granted a stay in the execution of their judgements, that declared their election void, until their appeal is heard and determined. They were earlier found to have committed offences of bribery under the Electoral Act, in election petitions heard before the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.
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Tuesday 24 May 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two Cabinet Ministers, who were found to have committed offences of bribery under the Electoral Act, in the lead-up to the November 2021 General Election, have been granted a stay of execution in their judgements, and their unseating stayed, until their appeal is heard and determined. A special Appeal Session is scheduled for July.
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Friday 13 May 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The election of Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Poasi Tei, as Tongatapu No. 6 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly has been declared void by the Supreme Court, after he was found to have committed three acts of bribery, in the lead up to the November 2021 General Election. He is the fourth Member of Parliament and third Cabinet Minister whose election has been voided.
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Tuesday 10 May 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A third Member of Parliament, Tatafu Moeaki, will be unseated from the Legislative Assembly on 16 May. This was after the Speaker received the Supreme Court's certification that his election was void on Friday, 6 May.
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Tuesday 10 May 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tevita Tupou was sentenced to three-years and ten-months imprisonment for possession of illicit drugs, in two offences committed last year on Tongatapu.
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Friday 6 May 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The election of Tatafu Moeaki as the Tongatapu No. 4 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly was declared void by a Supreme Court judge today, who found that he committed bribery on two occasions, in the lead-up to the November 2021 General Election. Moeaki, the current Minister of Finance, is the second Cabinet Minister the court has found to have committed the offence of bribery under the Electoral Act.
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Friday 6 May 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa today dismissed an election petition filed against Tongatapu No.1 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly, Tevita Puloka for alleged bribery, in the lead up to the 2021 General Election campaign.
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Friday 29 April 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Wednesday 27 April 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fili Langi Ta’ai (59) was found not guilty of engaging in dealing with others to possess methamphetamine, after the Prosecution failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa. The judge said the case was badly damaged.
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Thursday 21 April 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Wednesday 20 April 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An election petition filed against Tongatapu No. 2 People’s Representative to Parliament, Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, for alleged bribery, during the 2021 General Election campaign was dismissed by the Supreme Court. The petition was filed by a rival candidate Semisi Sika, who has been ordered by the court to pay the Dr Fasi's costs of the proceedings.
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Monday 14 March 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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