Results for From the Courts

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.

Tonga's former Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano, will be sentenced on Friday, April 24 following his conviction on four counts, two of which relate to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals.

Twenty-two people were today sentenced to a range of fines between $300 to $1100 pa'anga each for breaching the national lockdown notice, at the Mu'a Magistrate's Court. Another 20 accused will be tried next week.

Three men were acquitted of possession of methamphetamine, after a Supreme Court judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove the charges against them.