Results for From the Courts

Tonga’s Court of Appeal from 8-18 April will hear an appeal by TongaSat against a Supreme Court decision that declared that the multi-million Chinese aid fund grants paid to the company in 2008 and 2011 were unlawful.

Maikolo ‘Ealelei (20), a habitual thief, was sentenced to four years imprisonment for serious housebreaking when he stole around $34,000 pa’anga worth of items at a home in Tofoa last year. “It is a distressingly common offence committed in the main by young men. It is a very serious problem in Tonga to which there must be a strong response,” the Chief Justice stated.

Five men charged with the murder of Sione Feimoefiafi (49) had their cases adjourned to April 22, after they were called this morning at the Fasi Magistrate's Court in Nuku'alofa.

'Atenisi Institute was unsuccessful in its application to the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court for an interim injunction to restrain the Tonga National Qualifications and Accreditation Board from imposing certain conditions on the independent education provider.

Final submissions by legal counsel in the trial of Siosateki Uikelotu Tu’itufu (19) charged with the murder of ‘Ailine Finau (18), whom he is alleged to have repeatedly assaulted with a machete was completed on February 11.

Serious concerns over public comments, interference and threats regarding the death of a US-Tongan Sione Feimoefiafi on 4 February in Nuku‘alofa, were expressed today by the Attorney General’s Office who urged the public to exercise restraint - or face criminal prosecutions. “The rule of law still prevails in Tonga,” the Attorney General stated.

Siosateki Uikelotu Tu’itufu (19) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of ‘Ailine Finau (18) whom he is accused to have assaulted repeatedly with a machete on February 13, 2018. The murder trial started at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa today.

Three brothers who were accused of serious bodily harm when they allegedly attacked another man during a fight at Hofoa in 2017 were found not guilty, at the Supreme Court on January 30.

Hateni Kaufusi (32) was sentenced to five-years nine-months imprisonment for manslaughter, when he stabbed Tolifili Tu'alau with a pair of scissors during a fight at Te’ekiu in February last year.