Results for From the Courts

The recently appointed Governor of Ha’apai, Viliami Manuopangai Hingano (46) was found guilty today of unlawful possession of 198kg of turtle meat, confiscated in a cargo onboard the MV 'Otuanga'ofa ferry last year. The Supreme Court judge did not believe the former Member of Parliament’s evidence that he did not know the requirement of the law. “Ignorance of the law is not a defence to any offence.”

Malia Selupe (32) will be sentenced on April 9 at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on five counts of obtaining by false pretences around $59,000 pa’anga from customers at her car dealer company in Longolongo.

‘Inivenesi Helu (39) is serving one-year imprisonment for causing grievous bodily harm to a 17-year-old teenager by using a machete during an altercation, in Nuku'alofa.

‘Asaeli Teulilo (32) is serving eight months imprisonment for possessing 1.3 grams of cocaine and 0.1 gram of cannabis. The Lord Chief Justice warned that harsher penalties are expected on any offences committed after November 26, 2020, involving more than 0.25 grams of a Class A drug, because they are deemed as supply.

‘Amusia Mateni was found guilty at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court of possessing 8.08 grams of methamphetamine during a confrontation with a police officer on a road in Ngele'ia. He tried to destroy the illicit drug by tearing the packets in his mouth and throwing it into a puddle.

A new Supreme Court judge, Hon Justice Nicholas Cooper, from the United Kingdom, was today welcomed at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC said that, like so many countries around the world, Tonga remains in the grip of very serious challenges posed by illicit drugs and the Courts continue to play their part in endeavouring to protect all the people of Tonga.

Suliana Fate (21), who was convicted of knocking-out a man with a stick while drunk, before stealing his vehicle in Ma'ufanga, received a suspended jail sentence, together with two other co-accused.

Sione Siueli Angilau (41) was sentenced to 12-months imprisonment for possession of 0.07 grams of methamphetamine and 9.26 grams of cannabis.

Talia'uli Fatongiatau (35) was sentenced today to nine-months imprisonment for offering $235 bribe to a Tonga Police officer and possession of 0.89g of methamphatamine. He is currently serving time in Hu'atolitoli Prison.