The Tonga Development Bank will retain its CEO and Board Chairman, for the time being, pending the resolution of a dispute at trial, in an ongoing civil action against the National Reserve Bank of Tonga. Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop, in a ruling on 19 September, also ordered that Tonga Development Bank (TDB) must still refrain from engaging in any economic development activities, without the prior approval of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.
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Results for From the Courts
Friday 20 September 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Friday 20 September 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tevita Halatokoua (26) was sentenced to two years imprisonment, with part suspended, for possession of over 2.77 grams of methamphetamine seized in over 20 packets and other items used for dealing drugs in Nuku’alofa.
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Wednesday 11 September 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siosifa Fili (35) and Sila Maile (28) were jailed for various charges including possession of 1.62 grams of methamphetamine and 0.66 grams of cannabis. A co-accused received a suspended sentence.
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Tuesday 10 September 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Pousima Vaioleti (29) was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, with the last four months suspended, for the theft of a vehicle and other items valued at $50,580 from a 73-year-old man with hearing impairment in his home at Vaini. "I am quite satisfied that you have conducted a life of crime. It further seems to me, that you are not very good at it,” the Lord Chief Justice told the accused at sentencing, in the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.
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Tuesday 3 September 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
British Barrister, Malcom Bishop KC, officially assumed office as the new Lord Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tonga and President of the Land Court on 2 September 2024.
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Tuesday 3 September 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
'Alifeleti Uepi Latu (33) was sentenced to four years and one month imprisonment, with a part suspended, for numerous charges, which included serious housebreaking and theft of items valued at $22,750 from a house at Tofoa. The defendant was said to be an unemployed drug user who had relied on his mother's money transfers from the United States. He had previous convictions for theft, assault, domestic violence and bodily harm.
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Monday 2 September 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Viliami Lokotui (31) was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment with the final six months suspended for charges that included possession of 2.69 grams of methamphetamine, at a residence in Malapo.
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Thursday 22 August 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Key evidence in the trial of disgraced former government Ministers, ‘Etuate and ‘Akosita Lavulavu, has been ruled inadmissible in their retrial on charges of obtaining money by false pretences, which has been constantly delayed since last year.
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Wednesday 21 August 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Isiah Takau (39) from Ma’ufanga was sentenced to serve a total of three years and nine months imprisonment for possession of 11.94 grams of methamphetamine and cultivation of 10 cannabis plants committed in two separate occasions. He also committed the second offence while on bail.
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Wednesday 21 August 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tevita Kauvaka Loto’aniu (28) was jailed for nine months for possession of illicit drugs, including 1.42 grams of methamphetamine seized at a residence in Houmakelikao in January earlier this year.
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Wednesday 21 August 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Manley Manu Soakai Palu (25) was sentenced to three years imprisonment, with a portion suspended, for three counts of causing bodily injury to a couple and their two year old daughter, while driving under the influence of alcohol. “The public must be protected from people who drink and drive,” stated the Judge.
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Thursday 15 August 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A prominent British barrister, Malcolm Bishop KC has been appointed Lord Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tonga and President of the Land Court. Mr Bishop KC will assume office on 2 September, the Supreme Court office told Matangi Tonga today.
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Thursday 8 August 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kepueli Christopher Mafi (32) was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment for dangerous driving causing the death of ‘Ahotau Taufu’i, who was walking on the side of the road at Nualei, in the early morning of 20 November 2022. The accused drove off, while the victim’s body was found by others.
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Thursday 8 August 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siena Li received a suspended sentence for possession of 0.08 grams methamphetamine and smashing a pipe used to smoke drugs, when she was arrested in a car at Ha’ateiho.
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Thursday 8 August 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Repeat drugs offender, Jitendra Singh was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment for possession of 141.13 grams of methamphetamine and $32,050 pa'anga seized in Ngele’ia. This was in addition to 21 months prison term he was already serving for a previous drug offending.
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Thursday 1 August 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Haisini Fonohema (37) was jailed for charges including possession of 1.08 grams of methamphetamine and assaulting an undercover police officer who was arresting him in Ha’alalo. His co-offender, Sosaia Palei (39) received a suspended sentence.
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Thursday 18 July 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa sentenced ‘Okona ‘One’one (31) to four years imprisonment, with some part suspended, for charges including possession of 5.04 grams of methamphetamine at his home address in ‘Anana. The possession of scales and over 540 dealer-bags made it clear this was possession with intent to supply; so far more serious than simple possession, stated the judge.
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Thursday 18 July 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
In the Supreme Court of Tonga, Civil Jurisdiction, Mr Justice Cooper on 12 July ruled to continue an Interim Injunction in favour of the plaintiff, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in an ongoing court battle over control of the Kingdom's foreign affairs, that will lead to a judicial review hearing in September.
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Friday 12 July 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Siosina Vakasiuola (30) was found guilty on two charges of obtaining money by false pretences, when she received $47,000 from two customers, who signed contracts with her for the importation of vehicles, which never materialized. “Miss Vakasiuola was not a convincing witness and I conclude that she has lied to the Court," stated the judge.
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Tuesday 9 July 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Viliami Kioa (43) of Sopu caused serious bodily harm to a woman who was cleaning a neighbour's property, when he assaulted her with a 4ft long aluminium pipe during a verbal altercation, which was witnessed by the victim's young daughter and another woman.
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