A dispute over land to determine the legal order of succession of a man who died “intestate” without a will, was heard at the Nuku’alofa Land Court on 26-27 July 2021 by Justice Niu and Assessor Tu‘ifua. Although different Taumoepeau family members had applied for it, the land had reverted to the Crown, and had been re-allocated, while the claims were not lawfully resolved. Justice Niu made orders on 4 October 2021 to cancel a deed of grant and for the Minister of Lands to hear and decide new applications in accordance with the principles of natural justice.
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Results for From the Courts
Thursday 28 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa Tonga
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Wednesday 27 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three young men have pleaded guilty to committing the string of armed robberies at three Chinese retail shops in Nuku'alofa. They are in police custody to be sentenced on November 22, at the Supreme Court.
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Wednesday 27 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siaosi Helu (36) was sentenced today to one-year imprisonment for possession 0.04 gram of methamphetamine found hidden inside his underpants, during a routine body search by Police, when arrested for public drunkenness at Fasi.
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Friday 22 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Penisimani Angilau received a suspended sentence today for causing serious bodily harm to another man, when he hit him with a piece of timber fracturing his left hand during an argument at a petrol station at Vaini. The Supreme Court judge ruled this as a case of special circumstances because the offender was provoked when the complainant jumped into the queue at the petrol station and refused to back off.
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Friday 22 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A claim by 'Ikani L. Taliai against the Ministry of Internal Affairs and others for breach of contract seeking a sum of $140,000 and general damages of $80,000, was dismissed by the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.
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Wednesday 20 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siueli Angilau (42) received a suspended sentence today for possession of 0.55 grams of methamphetamine and cannabis weighing 267.83 grams, at Fanga. Police received information that drugs were being sold from there.
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Tuesday 19 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sione Tupou Tonga (24) received a suspended sentence for serious housebreaking and theft of goods worth $4,200 at a home in Fangaloto, after he had been drinking there. He robbed the house when his host fell asleep.
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Monday 18 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
After a trial at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, Siu ‘i Vahanoa Tu’ipulotu (48) was found guilty of serious housebreaking and robbery at a store in Ma'ufanga, where he punched the complainant several times, before stealing goods. He will be sentenced on November 18.
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Friday 15 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Okusitino Langi (47) who has an extensive criminal history, was sentenced today to six-years three-months imprisonment for possession of substantial illicit drugs, including 43.85 grams of methamphetamine at Hala’ovave. The prosecution said the amount of methamphetamine seized was substantial,
the dealer bags and other drug-related utensils and cash found indicated a commercial enterprise.
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Thursday 14 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tupou Tafuna (39) and his wife ‘Amelia (32) were jailed for possessing 3.82 grams of methamphetamines and 22.60 grams of cannabis, after Police received information they were selling the drugs at home in Sopu.
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Thursday 14 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kepilini Pole’o (28) was sentenced to 16 months-imprisonment for destruction of evidence and possession of 0.13 grams of methamphetamines seized at Vaini. This was fully suspended on conditions.
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Tuesday 12 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A death penalty was seriously considered by Tonga's Lord Chief Justice, before he gave a life sentence yesterday, to the man who admitted the murder of prominent human rights activist Polikalepo “Poli” Kefu (41) in April this year. Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC, convicted ‘Inoke Silongo F. Tonga (27), a meth addict, of the murder at a beach in Tatakamotonga. He said the offending was “a heinous crime of extreme brutality and depravity.”
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Thursday 7 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Retired rugby league star, Manu Vatuvei (35) faces a lengthy prison sentence in New Zealand, after he pleaded guilty yesterday, to the importation of methamphetamine there.
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Tuesday 5 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A suspended sentence imposed on Manavahetau Fua’eiki aka 'Isileli (43) for possession of methamphetamine and a bullet stands, ruled the Appeal Court on October 1.
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Monday 4 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A former Governor of Vava’u, Lord Fulivai and his wife Lady Helen Fulivai who took personal loans and were paid large sums of money by an Auckland company director in exchange for promised land leases in Tonga, which they did not honour, have been ordered by the High Court of New Zealand to pay back over NZD$253,370.
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Monday 4 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Leimoni Tito Siasau (49) who was sentenced to four-years imprisonment for serious indecent assault of a 33-year-old woman got his sentence reduced to two-years by the Appeal Court on October 1.
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Friday 1 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Simione Ikahihifo (55) who was sentenced to serve seven and a half-years imprisonment for dangerous driving causing the death of 'Aisea Kaifa (66) in 2020, had his sentence reduced to five-years by the Appeal Court on October 1.
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Friday 1 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
'Ana Katokakala Siale (37) had her suspended sentence for house breaking and theft of Tongan handicrafts valued at $14,100 pa'anga, quashed by the Appeal Court on October 1. She will now serve six-months at Hu'atolitoli Prison.
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Friday 1 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Repeat drug offender Pangi Puloka (47) who is currently imprisoned, was unsuccessful in his Appeal against conviction on drugs offences.
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Thursday 30 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lafitani Mahe who is currently serving a prison term for housebreaking and theft received an additional time for possession of illicit drugs, after being sentenced at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court today. His co-accused received a suspended sentence.
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