Results for Tonga

Imposing six year prison sentences on convicted fraudsters 'Etuate and 'Akosita Lavulavu today Hon. Mr Justice J. Cooper said he had taken into account all mitigating factors and had kept his overall sentence as low as he as he could. In his 61 points sentencing remarks, released this afternoon, the judge said he took no account of the corrupting of the trial process by both defendants and their submission of false references. “I ignore the fact that Mr Lavulavu has sought to try and influence the outcome with the lure of money.” He also noted that they were not charged with theft, when they could have been.

Six years prison sentences were imposed on the Lavulavu couple this morning in their sentencing at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. The judge noted that both had shown no remorse and made no attempts to repay over $500,000 pa'anga of TVET education funds they had plundered. Probation reports said 'Etuate was known to be “deceitful” and 'Akosita's dishonesty proved her true character. 'Akosita is a Minister in the Tu'i'onetoa government.

A five-year strategy to help 12 smallest Pacific Island countries, including Tonga, build resilience against economic shocks, deliver sustainable services, and promote inclusive and sustainable growth, was endorsed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

2,319 people have received their second dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as at this morning, July 1, confirmed the Tonga Ministry of Health.

Tonga has named its team, which includes 13 debutants, to face the All Blacks at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, on Saturday 3 July.

Heneli Manuofetoa (40) was sentenced today to another seven months imprisonment for possession of 0.1 gram of methamphetamine. He is currently serving time at Hu’atolitoli Prison for another drug offence.

A Tongan student at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji has tested positive for the COVID-19. Positive cases are increasing in Fiji since its latest outbreak in April, prompting Tonga to postpone repatriation flights from Fiji.

Quarantine costs for Tongan repatriates will continue to be paid by the Tongan Government confirmed MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u. Plans for repatriated passengers to start paying for their quarantine from July have been sidelined for the time being.

The convicted Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism ‘Akosita Lavulavu (36) and her husband ’Etuate (62) will be sentenced on Friday, July 2 at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.