Results for From the Courts

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.

Tonga Cable Ltd. cannot pursue its full claim of over US$1.2 million for the damage that it alleges the oil tanker Duzgit Venture caused to its two undersea communications cables in January 2019, because the piece of legislation to support its claim has never been Gazetted, or come into law in Tonga.

A police officer was acquitted of bribery, after a Supreme Court judge found the evidence had not established, that he accepted money as inducement to carry out his duties.

Three men received suspended sentences and one was discharged on conditions, at the Supreme Court in an assault of a soldier at Havelu in September 2018.

'Alamoni Makafilia (33) is serving 16-years imprisonment, for armed robberies at two petrol stations in Tongatapu in 2018 where he shot and wounded two petrol station attendants.