Results for From the Courts

Viliami Latu was convicted of fraudulently converting $1,200 pa’anga, while working as the second in charge at the Ministry of Finance in Neiafu.

The Friendly Islands Satellite Communications Ltd (Tongasat) will have to pay $15,000 pa'anga for security of costs to the Supreme Court, before their appeal against a ruling of the Lord Chief Justice can be heard.

Vainiaku ‘Aisea (38) was sentenced to two-years and three-months for reckless driving that caused the death of a 12-year-old girl who was waiting for her bus on By Pass Road, Nuku'alofa, in July last year. “This is a terribly sad case,” the Chief Justice said in his ruling.

Tonga’s Court of Appeal from 8-18 April will hear an appeal by TongaSat against a Supreme Court decision that declared that the multi-million Chinese aid fund grants paid to the company in 2008 and 2011 were unlawful.

Maikolo ‘Ealelei (20), a habitual thief, was sentenced to four years imprisonment for serious housebreaking when he stole around $34,000 pa’anga worth of items at a home in Tofoa last year. “It is a distressingly common offence committed in the main by young men. It is a very serious problem in Tonga to which there must be a strong response,” the Chief Justice stated.

Five men charged with the murder of Sione Feimoefiafi (49) had their cases adjourned to April 22, after they were called this morning at the Fasi Magistrate's Court in Nuku'alofa.

'Atenisi Institute was unsuccessful in its application to the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court for an interim injunction to restrain the Tonga National Qualifications and Accreditation Board from imposing certain conditions on the independent education provider.

Final submissions by legal counsel in the trial of Siosateki Uikelotu Tu’itufu (19) charged with the murder of ‘Ailine Finau (18), whom he is alleged to have repeatedly assaulted with a machete was completed on February 11.

Serious concerns over public comments, interference and threats regarding the death of a US-Tongan Sione Feimoefiafi on 4 February in Nuku‘alofa, were expressed today by the Attorney General’s Office who urged the public to exercise restraint - or face criminal prosecutions. “The rule of law still prevails in Tonga,” the Attorney General stated.