Results for From the Courts

Five of the 10 men arrested in a drugs operation in Hofoa during the Easter weekend were released on bail on Friday, May 10.

Tonga Broadcom Ltd. was fined $1,500 pa’anga to be paid within 60 days after being convicted of broadcasting an interview of the Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika on the polling day of Tonga's General Election in 2017. The judge found that the broadcast was a clear expression of support for the candidate.

'Emilio To‘a this morning changed his plea to guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter in the death of Siaosi ‘Okusitino Tupa, who died after being stabbed multiple times with a knife during a drunken brawl at Fangaloto in March, 2018.

The 16 men and one woman arrested in a major drugs operation in Tongatapu over the Easter weekend remain in custody pending bail hearing.

A re-offender, Pouono ‘Aisake (29) was sentenced to six-years imprisonment after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, when he hit a Senior Police Constable with a machete on the head, in August 2018. The judge found that the accused when angry poses a serious danger to society.

Paula Naitoko (59) is the Senior Customs Officer charged in relation to a major seizure of drugs by Tonga Customs Officers on April 23 at the Queen Salote Wharf.

Lisiate ‘Otuhouma is the 28-year-old man charged after being arrested with three kilograms of methamphetamine at his home in Fahefa on April 17.

A deceitful senior loans officer, Finau Heuifanga Vea was convicted of embezzling more than $70,000 pa’anga from her employer, Five Star Finance in 2015. She is remanded in custody for sentencing at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.

The cases against two Tongan Cabinet Ministers, one over a stolen cow and the other for disobeying a Port Master’s direction in regards to his vessels, are pending at the Fasi Magistrate's Court in Nuku'alofa.