Results for From the Courts

A Supreme Court judge has ordered Tonga’s Electoral Commission to register Sione Keuate Tupouniua after rejecting his application to stand as a candidate for this month's General Election, when he turned up late after nominations closed at 3pm on Friday, October 24 in Nuku'alofa.

Antone Thomas Pedras (62) remains in Tonga after the Court of Appeal in Nuku'alofa on Friday quashed a removal order against him declaring it null and without any legal effect.

A 38 year old mother of seven, Sau’iluma Guttenbeil, was acquitted of murdering her husband after she ran over him with her four-wheel drive vehicle in Neiafu in 2012, but was found guilty of manslaughter at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa last week.

A second session of the Court of Appeal began today and will hear 16 appeals, including an appeal by a former police inspector over his conviction and 11-year imprisonment in Kali Fungavaka's death.

Doubts have been cast over the eligibility of 'Akilisi Pohiva, the People's Representative for Tongatapu Constituency No. 1, to register as a candidate in Tonga's November 25 General Election, while a $22,000 costs award against him, ordered by a Magistrate, remains outstanding.

After an application against his removal order was declined by the Supreme Court last week, Antone Thomas Pedras (62) was this week granted a stay on the removal until the outcome of his appeal to the Court of Appeal is determined in October this year.

Former Police Constable Fatai Faletau (36) who was convicted of assaulting Kali Fungavaka in 2012, was sentenced today to eight months imprisonment.

Hon Justice Cato sentenced Police Inspector Kelepi Hala'ufia to 11 years and Police Constable Salesi Maile to nine years in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court this morning, 9 July.

A 62-year-old fugitive from the United States, who is wanted by the FBI for wire fraud, will appear at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 22 to appeal against a removal order.