Results for From the Courts

A man was acquitted of unlawful possession of cannabis and methamphetamine by a Supreme Court judge, who found the police search unlawful. In addition, prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The Crown has been ordered by the Lord Chief Justice to return more than $10,000 in cash to a local Chinese business. The cash was forfeited when he was charged for false declaration, at Fua'amotu International Airport in 2018.

Lisiate ‘Otuhouma (29), charged in the seizure of three kilograms of methamphetamine at Fahefa, has pleaded not guilty at the Supreme Court.

Tonga's Supreme Court will consider forfeiture to the Crown of an 'Eua passenger ferry that carried an excessive number of passengers in dangerous waters at night in January last year, after the Master was found guilty yesterday of permitting the MV 'Onemato to sail carrying excess passengers.

A 32-year-old fisherman who pleaded guilty to possession of 0.61 grams of methamphetamine received suspended sentence, at the Supreme Court on April 27.

A 17-year old student has been found guilty by a Supreme Court judge for stabbing another boy in the head with a sharp object, in a school fight in Nuku'alofa, last year.

The Crown has dropped charges against Muli Vehikite regarding the alleged importation of 275.6 grams of methamphetamine, after a key witness, a former senior Tongan police officer, who was under suspicion for possible criminal offences, was unavailable to give evidence.

Lord Tu'ivakano was sentenced today to two-years imprisonment, which was fully suspended, for charges relating to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals. He was also fined $4,000 for possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license. In sentencing, the Chief Justice also took into consideration the potential ramifications of s.37 of the Land Act, clause 23 of the Constitution and s.386 of the Companies Act. (If the prison sentence was more than two years the noble would lose his hereditary rights.)

Twelve accused pleaded guilty today and were sentenced to fines of $1000 pa'anga each for breaching the national lockdown notice, at Fasi Magistrate’s Court. They were among 40 cases scheduled for today. Arrest warrants have been issued for 14 who did not turn up at the court.