Lord ‘Akau’ola also known as ‘Ahovalea Moe Mapa Faletau faces a claim for nearly TP$1 million of unpaid debt after the Supreme Court found in favour of the Bank of South Pacific Tonga Ltd.
The bank, formerly known as Westpac Bank of Tonga, applied to the court for leave to enforce proceedings against the Lord ‘Akau’ola.
The bank originally obtained a judgement against Lord ‘Akau’ola on February 2, 2010.
Under the judgement, the bank agreed not to take action if Lord ‘Akau’ola made monthly payments at an agreed rate.
The bank had taken into consideration Lord ‘Akau’ola’s personal circumstances due to the illness of his wife.
Lord ‘Akau’ola made payments until May 2016, but was now in default.
Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said he owed TP$833,287 of the principal debt, along with substantial interest.
“It is only as a result of a recent change in Hon ‘Akauola’s employment that the Bank now considers that enforcement proceedings will result in payment of at least some portion of the judgment debt,” Mr Justice Paulsen said.
Permission for the bank to take action against enforcement proceedings would lapse if they were not taken by May 23 2019.
