Results for From the Courts

Vitalini Liku’ohihifo (29) was sentenced to one-year nine-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for reckless driving that caused the death of a male pedestrian in September 2018 in Nualei. “Many a good career and reputation have floundered as a consequence of alcohol abuse, and he would do well to reflect upon this,” the judge said.

Emilio To’a has been sentenced to five-years and six-months imprisonment for manslaughter in the death of Siaosi Tupa, who he stabbed multiple times with a knife during a drunken brawl at Fangaloto, last year.

‘Epuefi Holiday Laimani was found guilty of possession of the illciit drug methamphetamine seized at a hut in Hofoa in August last year.

Loketi Veimau the man arrested with cannabis, a firearm and ammunition smuggled in a shipment from the United States last month has been released on bail.

A former police officer Vilisoni Finau (51) was sentenced to four years and three months imprisonment after being found guilty of reckless driving causing death of a male driver last year.

More than 10 male accused charged with various illicit drug offences in separate cases were brought in a Tonga Police bus to the Fasi Magistrate’s Court this morning, May 27.

Mele Tokilupe Hausia (24) received a two-year suspended sentence for three charges, including forging a Government bond while an employee of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga. “I consider the accused’s offending was audacious,” the judge stated.

Lord Chief Justice O.G. Paulsen ruled on an appeal today that there is sufficient evidence to commit Lord Tu‘ivakano for trial on four charges of accepting a bribe as a government servant. This returns the charges against the former Prime Minister back to a total of 12.

The cases against two Tongan Cabinet Ministers, one over a stolen cow and the other disobeying a Port Master’s direction in regards to his vessels, remain pending at the Fasi Magistrate's Court. One is adjourned to Chambers on May 29 and the other has a trial date set for July 3.