Results for From the Courts

Lord Tu‘ivakano will have his appeal heard on Friday, 20 May against a decision of the Supreme Court to dismiss his civil claim of malicious prosecution against the Police Commissioner, Attorney General and the Kingdom of Tonga in 2021.

The first session of Tonga's Court of Appeal for this year started today, 16 May and includes ‘Etuate Lavulavu's appeal against his conviction and sentence. He is currently serving six-years in prison with his wife 'Akosita, whose appeal is expected to be heard in the next session.

The election of Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Poasi Tei, as Tongatapu No. 6 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly has been declared void by the Supreme Court, after he was found to have committed three acts of bribery, in the lead up to the November 2021 General Election. He is the fourth Member of Parliament and third Cabinet Minister whose election has been voided.

A 69-year-old man was sentenced to five-years imprisonment for attempted rape of a 20-year-old woman on Tongatapu in 2021.

Two men, aged in their 20s, were spared death penalties and, instead, sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, after bludgeoning to death the victim, Fanaafi Misifane (35), at Holonga in 2019. A third man was sentenced to eight-years for manslaughter. The death was a tragedy, said the judge. “Mr Misifane was killed on the ground where he lay. Sudden and savage he had no chance at all.”

A meeting of the Legislative Assembly will be held on 16 May to unseat two Members of Parliament from their seats, after their elections were voided by the Supreme Court of Tonga. The date for the meeting was announced on 4 May, before a third member of parliament had his election declared void today by the Court. Three other election petitions remain pending.

The Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa today dismissed an election petition filed against Tongatapu No.1 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly, Tevita Puloka for alleged bribery, in the lead up to the 2021 General Election campaign.

The election of Sione Sangster Saulala as the Tongatapu No. 7 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly has been declared void by the Lord Chief Justice, who this morning found that he committed bribery on two occasions, during the November 2021 General Election campaign. After his election Saulala was appointed as the current Minister for Internal Affairs. The Lord Chief Justice said Mr Saulala was an unimpressive witness. By Linny Folau.

Fili Langi Ta’ai (59) was found not guilty of engaging in dealing with others to possess methamphetamine, after the Prosecution failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa. The judge said the case was badly damaged.