Results for From the Courts

‘Inoke Siolongo Filivaolelei Tonga (27) has pleaded guilty to the murder of Polikalepo (Poli) Kefu (41) on May 1 this year at Tatakamotonga. The accused appeared at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court this morning, September 2.

Vola Tuaimeitu’a (59) has been found not guilty and acquitted on charges relating to the importation of firearms without a license. The firearms were seized in a crate, which arrived from the United States in January, 2020. The judge said "The defendant did everything in his power to get a licence in a timely way.”

Netane Taufa (29) was sentenced to one-year imprisonment for cultivation of 23 cannabis plants that were seized at a residence in Nukunuku. The sentence was fully suspended on conditions.

Sioeli Tapueluelu (37) was sentenced today to 12-years imprisonment for manslaughter in the death of a 27-year-old, whom he punched and hit on the head with a wok frying pan. “His history and senseless outburst of violence in this case, resulting in the death of an innocent young man, make him a serious danger to society, which this Court must strive to protect,” said Lord Chief Justice Whitten. He called the defendant’s savage attack “a gutless act of cowardice in initiating the assault.”

Siosaia Fifita (33) was sentenced to two-years imprisonment for possession of 2.36 grams of methamphetamine and 3.14 grams of cannabis. He was caught after Tonga Police received information he was driving around Nuku'alofa selling illicit drugs.

Two men were today fined $2,400 pa'anga each for possession of 784 sea cucumbers, during the closed fishing season on March 10 earlier this year. The judge said that failure to pay would see them locked up for three-months in prison.

Misivina Tatakamotonga was sentenced to seven-years eight-months imprisonment for possession of illicit drugs, including 99.47 grams of methamphetamine. The judge said it was gravely concerning that the defendant's true activities were not reflected in the indictment and there appeared to be scant investigation into the dealer list. He urged the investigating authorities “to reflect on what lines of enquiry can properly be pursued."

Paea Fainga’a was acquitted on two counts of serious housebreaking and theft of a car in 2019 by Hon. Mr Justice Cooper in a ruling this month, after he found the evidence of the complainant, Siaosi Vete, unconvincing.

A man who raped his adult daughter has been sentenced to nine and a half-years imprisonment, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.