The King appointed Tonga Poʻuli Aleamotuʻa on February 18, 2013 as trustee of the title and later to the title Fielakepa.
Tonga’s Supreme Court has been told the man challenging for the right to inherit the title of Fielakepa is not the son of the person who was expected to hold the title after the Late Baron Fielakepa.
Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo’aulo Aleamotu’a is challenging the decision to bestow the title on his uncle.
It was claimed in court that he was in fact the biological son of ‘Atunaisa Fetokai and not Mōsese Taulupe Aleamotuʻa, the person second in line after Baron Fielakepa.
His Majesty King Tupou VI conferred the title on His Armed Forces’ Commander, Tupou Tongapoʻuli Aleamotuʻa in April this year. His eldest brother, the late Baron Fielakepa, died in 2013 without an heir.
The next in line to the hereditary title after the death of Baron Fielakepa was Mōsese Taulupe Aleamotuʻa, but he died suddenly in 2007. He was survived by his mother Lady Tuna Fielakepa and his wife Mele Simiki Aleamotu’a and their nine children.
Lord Fielakepa’s estate is Haveluloto and Felemea.
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Laki Niu said his client, Tupou Tongaliuaki Filoʻaulo Aleamotu’a, was the son of Mosese Taulupe Aleamotuʻa.
Niu told the court his client was born on October 1, 1991 to Mele Simiki Aleamotuʻa and Mōsese Taulupe.
Niu told the court that the present Fielakepa, Tupou Tongapoʻuli Aleamotuʻa, claimed that Tongaliuaki’s biological father was ‘Atunaisa Fetokai and not his late brother.
In court yesterday the plaintiff’s mother, Mele Simiki Aleamotu’a and paternal grandmother, Lady Tuna Fielakepa, were witnesses on his behalf.
Tongaliuaki denied claims that his biological father was ‘Atunaisa Fetokai and told defence lawyer Sifa Tu’utafaiva that he would voluntarily provide a DNA test to prove his paternity.
Because of the sensitivity and severity of the case and the significance of the Tongan culture of fakaʻapaʻapa, Chief Justice Michael Scott warned that while it was important to respect the privacy of the plaintiff’s mother, proof of paternity could be made publicly in court.
Mele Simiki Aleamotuʻa said her son was not satisfied when he found out after his father died that the king had conferred the title of Fielakepa on his uncle.
Tongaliuaki said he wrote to His Majesty to express his dissatisfaction, but he had not received any reply.
Lady Tuna who appeared in court as a witness for Tongaliuaki, denied claims made by her son Tupou Tongapoʻuli Aleamotuʻa that his brother had been forced to marry Mele Simiki.
She said she did not question the fact Tongapoʻuli was registered as a trustee in the title Fielakepa after Baron Fielakepa died but she was surprised when she heard the title had been conferred on him.
The hearing continues today.
The main points
- Tonga’s Supreme Court has been told the man challenging for the right to inherit the title of Fielakepa is not the son of the previous title holder.
- Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo’aulo Aleamotu’a is challenging the decision to bestow the title on his uncle.
- It was claimed in court that he was in fact the biological son of ‘Atunaisa Fetokai and not the late Baron Fielakepa, Mōsese Taulupe Aleamotuʻa.
- His Majesty King Tupou VI conferred the title on His Armed Forces’ Commander Tupou Tongapo’uli Aleamotu’a in April this year. His eldest brother, the late Baron Fielakepa, died in 2013 without an heir.
For more information
Fielakepa title conferred on His Majesty’s Armed Forces Commander
