A repeat drug offender, Paula Keni Moala (53) was jailed for over seven years for possession of 28.66 grams of methamphetamine and 3.81 grams of cannabis seized by Police, who received information that he was driving around selling illicit drugs in the Nuku’alofa area. The time includes a previous suspended jail sentence that was activated.
The King’s Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel is looking for a Tongan to replace the Lord Chief Justice Michael Whitten KC of Australia, who completed a four year appointment at the end of August. Meanwhile, the King in Council has appointed Justice Petunia Tupou KC as Acting Lord Chief Justice, Acting President of the Land Court and Acting President of the Court of
Viliami Tu’ipulotu and Heneli Manuofetoa have been found guilty of receiving stolen property, namely laptops stolen from the Ministry of Revenue in 2022.
Sione Matangi Malupo (35) was sentenced to two-years imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of goods, including Tongan crafts valued at around $11,600 from a home in Ma’ufanga.