Results for From the Courts

A Supreme Court ruling has restrained Tonga's Public Service Commission from advertising or recruiting a Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while suspending the appointment of Paula Ma’u as its Acting Chief Executive Officer. "The dispute at this level of Government, between Foreign Secretary and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by its nature is pressing; it’s potential to be damaging both domestically and internationally axiomatic," stated Mr Justice Cooper.

A man charged with two counts that included the theft of a vehicle from the Vaiola Hospital car park was found not guilty, although there was evidence that he was a passenger in the stolen car. The Supreme Court judge stated that two of the Crown witnesses 'Miki" Taulaki and Moala 'Ikani should have instead been charged with the offences.

Kelekolio Fonua (23) and Andy Fukofuka (38) were jailed for charges that included serious housebreaking, theft and receiving stolen goods worth $15,403 from Tupou High School at Nukunuku. Alcohol and illicit drug abuse have been a feature of life for both men. Fukofuka had breached a suspended sentence. A probation report said, “he does not support his community and is a malign presence”.

Christopher Taufa (38) was jailed for causing grievous bodily harm when he used a branch or a piece of timber to attack his neighbour during a drink-up in 2022. The attack was extreme. Justice Cooper sentenced him to 30-months' imprisonment, with the last six months suspended on conditions on 26 March, at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

Heneli Manuofetoa, ‘Aisea Havea and Kaniteli Guttenbeil were found guilty of possession of cannabis seized in Popua. Heneli was sentenced to five and a half months imprisonment to run concurrent with the 32-months that he is already serving in prison.

Taliai Tapueluelu (36) and Penitiketo Latu (27) are serving two-years in prison for serious causing bodily harm, when in Neiafu they repeatedly kicked an unconscious man on the head with their boots, in what the Acting Lord Chief Justice described as an outrageous abuse of police powers, when sentencing them.

Sione Taulua (36) was sentenced to one-year eight-months imprisonment for the theft of items valued at $13,600 from a home that his father was looking after at ‘Alakifonua, while the owners were abroad in July last year.

Andy Fukofuka is serving six-months in prison for abetment to the theft of a boat engine, after losing his appeal to the Supreme Court.

Tu’ifua Angilau (36), who was reported to have been selling illicit drugs around Nuku'alofa, was found guilty of possession of 1.96 grams of methamphetamine, when he was arrested after a police car chase in January 2023.