Results for From the Courts

Feinga ki he Lotu Fanguna who was convicted of importing a .22 rifle without a licence, which he ordered from the United States was fined $500 pa’anga, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. He had applied for a licence which was issued to him, after he was arrested on this offence.

Penisimani Angilau was sentenced to nine-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for possession of 0.75 grams of methamphetamine seized at Tokomololo. He told the Court he is homeless and was delivering the illicit drug for a friend.

The Lord Chief Justice has awarded damages to a private business and its director, after ruling that Tongan Police officers and civil servants from the Ministry of Fisheries held an unlawful search for sea cucumbers, alleged to have been illegally harvested during the closed season. The police had acted on unreliable and inaccurate information and nothing was found during the search.

An administrative decision by the Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism, Hon 'Akosita Lavulavu to decline whale watching licenses for six licenced operators was quashed by Lord Chief Justice Whitten, who found her decision had erred in law and “it was so manifestly unreasonable, no reasonable minister could have reached it”.

Sione Senituli Lave [30] was sentenced to six-months imprisonment for possession of 0.11 grams possession of methamphetamine, seized on Hihifo Road in October last year.

Master Tome Suasau [39] was sentenced to eight-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for possession of .48 grams of methamphetamine, at 'Umusi. The court heard the door to the workplace was opened by the accused and police restrained him and started the search. Also inside were accused persons, Kuliti Tongamoa and 'Epeli Taione.

Lisiate ‘Otuhouma (29) was sentenced to 15-years imprisonment at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court for possession of 3 kilograms of methamphetamine at his home in Fahefa in 2019.

Sosiua Totau [25] was sentenced to two-years imprisonment for possession of 400.37 grams of cannabis, seized at his home in Tofoa earlier this year.

Tonga's Court of Appeal has acquitted Lord Tu'ivakano on two charges of making a false statement to obtain a Tongan passport and perjury, after quashing the convictions in a 22-pages written judgment released in Nuku'alofa on Friday.