Results for From the Courts

The Speaker of Parliament Lord Lasike appeared before Justice Shuster in closed chambers today after he failed to turn up in open court this morning for arraignment.

The Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, Lord Lasike is expected to appear at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa today on the charge of unlawful possession of ammunition for .22 rifles.

A Crown appeal against sentences initially imposed on the Ashika captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu and the first mate Semisi Pomale was upheld by the Court of Appeal and resulted in a reduction of their sentences.

John Jonesse, who was serving five years imprisonment in Tonga's Huatolitoli Prison for conviction arising from the tragedy of the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika ferry, was released immediately this afternoon, September 30 following a successful appeal against the length of his sentence.

Tevita Kelepi of Nukunuku, a sufferer of mild mental retardation who pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the death of his 18-year-old brother whom he hit with an axe on the head in 2004, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment on September 29.

The British Government has assisted the Tongan Judiciary by renovating a third courthouse at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa at a cost of TOP$30,000.

Tonga's Court of Appeal will deliver its judgements on 13 appeal cases in an open court on Friday, 30 September.

Tonga's Second Court of Appeal Session begins in Nuku'alofa today Monday, September 19 and will hear 13 appeals, including an appeal by former SCP Managing Director John Jonesse against his conviction and sentencing imposed at the end of the Ashika ferry sinking trial in April.

Five men charged with conspiring to commit robbery in regards to the armed hold up and robbery of thousands of pa'anga from the Westpac Bank of Tonga branch at Ma'ufanga on September 5, are further remanded in police custody.