Pita Foliaki Hopoate, the Mormon leader at the centre of a widening political scandal, failed to appear in court recently after being summoned in connection with legal action filed against him by Epalahame Taukei‘aho.
The case forms part of a broader controversy in which former Police Minister Piveni Piukala is under investigation for allegedly helping Hopoate leave Tonga despite an active court order prohibiting his travel.
The episode has sparked a national debate over political interference, the absence of clear Cabinet governance and structural accountability, the independence of leadership from ministerial influence, judicial autonomy, and the integrity of court order enforcement.
A report last week stated that the case involving Taukei‘aho and Hopoate was mentioned in court, but neither Hopoate nor his lawyer appeared.
As Kaniva News has previously reported, Taukeiʻaho and Hopoate became embroiled in legal proceedings linked to the Mormon Church’s alumni association before Hopoate was served with a restraining order in October barring him from leaving Tonga. Hopoate is residing in the United States.
The restraining order prohibited Hopoate from departing the kingdom “until further order of the court.”
The immigration and Customs officers accused of facilitating Hopoate’s release at the airport were subsequently dealt with by their respective ministries.
Former Minister of Customs Māteni Tapueluelu toldKaniva News last year that the officer involved had been reassigned to another division as part of the inquiry into the matter.
Tapueluelu also strongly criticised Piukala over his alleged involvement.
The Immigration officer implicated in the decision reportedly attempted to contact Piukala in an effort to explain to his boss why he had authorised Hopoate’s release.
Both officers have alleged that Piukala contacted them, offering assurances that led to Hopoate’s release.
Price of Influence
The incident ultimately led to Piukala’s suspension by then Prime Minister Eke, following pressure from the Anti-Corruption Commission to ensure it could conduct its investigation independently and without political influence.
It marked the second major pressure point on Eke, after Lord Vaea, from the Nobility bench, spoke out publicly to criticise the delay, saying that clear rules already exist for situations of this nature and should have been enforced.
The suspension occurred just weeks before the general election and the formation of the new Cabinet under Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua in December.
Although Tonga’s prime ministerial and Cabinet nominations are legally conducted in secret, Piukala’s speech on the day of the prime ministerial vote — one of the few public moments in the process — implied he had backed Lord Fakafanua over rival candidate and former Prime Minister Eke, who had previously appointed him as Police Minister.
Lord Fakafanua has finalised his Cabinet appointments, but Piukala did not make the list.
The absence has prompted widespread speculation that it was linked to the ongoing investigation into his alleged involvement in the Hopoate matter.
