Results for From the Courts

The three men accused in the seizure of ten illegal firearms and more than 20,000 live bullets allegedly smuggled through shipments from the United States, had their case adjourned to October at the Magistrate's Court in Vava'u.

Tonga’s second session of the Court of Appeal will preside over five appeals, starting on September 2 in Nuku'alofa.

Malia Kolokiloloma Fanua was sentenced to three years imprisonment (which was fully suspended) for forging her exam results, while studying at the University of the South Pacific Tonga campus in 2017. Hon Mr Justice Laki Niu during sentencing on August 20, said the accused had shamed not only herself but also her family and the Tonga Police.

Saimone Vaka (36), a prisoner, was acquitted of seven counts, including three of sodomy alleged to have been committed on a 19-year-old cell mate, after a Judge found that a confession had been beaten out of him by prison officers at Hu'atolitoli.

Vaha Palei (32) was sentenced to two-years nine-months imprisonment for possession of 20.4 grams methamphetamine seized during a Police search at Te'ekiu.

Paula Naitoko (59) was ordered to be released on bail but under very tough conditions after a hearing at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa on August 9.

The fraud trial against Vava'u People’s Representative to Parliament, ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband, a former Cabinet Minister, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, which was to start in September has been delayed.

Lautaimi Tu’itavake (34) of Malapo was sentenced to two-years three-months imprisonment for possession of methamphetamine and cannabis, found on him during his arrest in the Nuku'alofa Central Business District in 2018.

A 44-year-old man was sentenced to one-year nine-months imprisonment, after being convicted in the Supreme Court of making a false statement and dealing with a forged birth certificate in order to obtain a Tongan passport.