Results for From the Courts

Kisina Neiufi (33) is serving four and a half years imprisonment for possession of 3.51 grams of methamphetamine, seized with $2,800 cash in Vaotu’u. This included the activation of a one year suspended sentence for previous drug offending, he breached.

Salesi Fa’aoa (34) is serving two years in prison for receiving stolen property, valued at around $43,750, from the burglary of a warehouse belonging to a construction and road repair associated business in Tofoa.

Leave to set aside a $20 million damages “judgement in default” was granted by the Lord Chief Justice for the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, its Governor and the news media whistle blowers. The current dispute is part of the ongoing litigation between the Tonga Development Bank and the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.

Tevita Matangi (32) is serving four and a half years imprisonment for two charges of causing grievous bodily harm to Mateaki Hafoka (29) and Sikuvea Fifita (26), when he attacked them with a machete during a drunken altercation in Talau, Vava'u in 2023.

Kiva Kaufusi was granted a fresh Deed of Grant to his town allotment in 'Utungake, Vava’u, after a judge found that it was the Minister of Land’s mistake when he granted the land area in dispute, to his neighbour. The judge stated that this case amongst others unfortunately revealed how a simple application can create extreme consequences for all involved.

A former Deputy CEO of Tourism, Mary Magdalena Tafa Fifita was successful in her civil action, after a Supreme Court judge quashed the Public Service Commission's decision to dismiss and charge her with 27 charges of serious breach of discipline. The judge found that the charging process relied on a flawed investigation. In this case it was necessary for the PSC, to prove their charges, not for the person accused to disprove them. “The inquiry, did not ask itself the right questions,” stated the judge.

A 40-year-old man in Tonga who received a vehicle stolen from a car rental business in New South Wales, Australia, that was shipped to Tonga, is serving one year in prison, after being found guilty of money laundering and receiving stolen property.

Harris Satini was sentenced to four years imprisonment on three charges that included possession of 10.64 grams of methamphetamine. His co-accused, Saia Tufui received a suspended sentence.

David Kent Jr Tau’alupe (39) was jailed for one year for causing grievous bodily harm to ‘Alo’i Kei, when he stabbed him with a sharp object, causing a severe wound to his left upper abdomen, during a drink up altercation at the Laione Club in Vava’u. The judge said the offending with a concealed sharp object, “clearly signals a degree of planning and premeditation on his part coupled with the use of a highly dangerous weapon.”