Results for From the Courts

Tonga's Appeal Court has dismissed an appeal by Paula Piveni Piukala and another, on the dismissal of their application for judicial review against a decision by the Supervisor of Elections, in regards to Lord Nuku’s election as a Noble's Represenatative. However, clause 65 of the constitution is concerned only with the qualification of Representatives of the People and does not apply to Nobles’ Representatives.

Moala ‘Ikani (31), Nukutefua Teu (36) and Tevita Pasi (20) who pleaded guilty to charges, including possession of methamphetamine and cannabis seized at Hofoa last month, received suspended sentences at the Fasi Magistrate's Court.

The first session of Tonga's Court of Appeal 2023 is being held this week with judgments expected to be delivered next week, before the Easter long weekend. A new Appeal Judge, Hon. Justice Philip Morrison joins this session.

A contempt of court application, filed against the Ministry and Minister of Infrastructure by three contractors, was adjourned to 12 April for further consideration. This is in regards to an earlier court order that among other orders, restrained both the Ministry and Minister from terminating the contractors' contracts to supply coral and clay soil fills.

Henry Liutai (36), who was found guilty on two counts of unlawful importation of restricted goods, including a .9mm pistol and ammunition found during Customs' inspection of a crate from the United States, was fined $4000 at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. He had no import license.

Siaosi Helu (36) was sentenced to four-months imprisonment of possession of illicit drugs, namely of 0.47 grams of cannabis in Nuku’alofa in 2021. His co-accused Akuila 'Aho had his sentence fully suspended. 'Aho was found not guilty on a further charge after evidence from drugs testing was ruled inadmissible.

Sosefo Kanongata’a (32) was jailed for serious housebreaking and theft of over 400 perfume oils and lotions worth over $16,000 pa'anga, among other goods, from a home business in Ma’ufanga. His co-accused got suspended sentence for receiving the stolen property.

Filipe Tongamoa (20) was jailed for dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm to his passenger, who was on life support for six-days. The court heard that Tongamoa was drunk when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed on Hihifo Road in 2022. He hurt his passengers and another driver.

Raj Kumar was found guilty of attempting to knowingly destroy suspected illicit drugs, capable of being used as evidence in the commission of an offence, in a drug bust on the road in 2021.