UPDATED on May 29 – The Fielakepa family’s longstanding dispute has taken a new turn, with fresh allegations of a military cover-up now adding to the noble title controversy that has tarnished the family’s reputation.
It follows a previous bitter court battle over the Fielakepa noble title, which saw a former Chief Justice rule that the King had erred in his appointment. The court case also featured explosive claims denying Lōpeti’s eldest brother’s biological lineage and the unusual circumstance of their mother refusing to allow the eldest son to take a DNA test to prove his paternity.
After securing legal counsel to revive his nine-year transparency battle, Lōpeti Aleamotu‘a has hit a new roadblock, shifting the dispute’s focus squarely onto his uncle, Lord Fielakepa, the HMAF’s top general during his 2016 dismissal
According to reports, Lōpeti held the view that Lord Fielakepa had allegedly pressed the King to remove him, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
Previous dispute
In the latest episode, it has been reported that despite multiple formal requests through legal channels, HMAF continues withholding Lōpeti’s complete service records, offering only a disputed “summary of facts” earlier this year.
Lōpeti’s latest attempt comes after the HMAF ordered him to return from Australia in 2016 while he was there to undergo a course of studies with the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, Tasmania, Tongan veteran publisher Kalafi Moala reported on Talanoa ‘o Tonga online.
The report alleged that Lōpeti was told to return home “due to administrative and disciplinary issues that have not been settled in Tonga.”
Since then, he has pushed for the HMAF to explain these issues in detail, as he was unaware of any, but has received no clear answers.
The report said his lawyer, Joycelyn Sikalu Lomu of Fakatoukatea Law Firm, has reportedly documented at least four unanswered requests dating back to 2016 seeking clarification about the investigation that led to his termination.
According to the report, HMAF later responded through the Solicitor General Sione Sisifa on 2 May 2025, declining Lopeti’s request to access his employment records.
It was claimed that no reasons were provided except that “it was against HMAF Policy.”
Kaniva News could not reach Lord Fielakepa or HMAF representatives for comment.
Hereditary title dispute
Lōpeti is the younger brother of Tupou Tongaliuaki Filo’aulo Aleamotu‘a, who had taken the current Lord Fielakepa to court in an effort to reclaim the family title.
In 2016, Tonga’s Land Court ruled that Tupou should inherit the title Fielakepa after the death of the late Baron Fielakepa.
The ruling came after His Majesty King Tupou VI conferred the title on Tupou’s uncle, Tongapo’uli Aleamotu’a, the current Fielakepa, in 2015.
Tongapo’uli’s eldest brother, the late Baron Fielakepa, died in 2013 without an heir.
Mosese Taulupe Aleamotu’a, Tupou’s father, was next in line to the title. But Taulupe died in 2007, while his eldest brother, Baron Fielakepa, inherited the title.
As Kaniva News previously reported, Lord Justice Michael Scott ruled, December 4, 2016 that His Majesty had erred when he conferred the title Fielakepa on Tongapo’uli.
Mr Justice Scott said it was evident that the information provided to His Majesty regarding who should inherit the title was incorrect.
He said Tupou was the rightful heir to the Fielakepa title and his name should be published as such in the Government Gazette.
Mr Justice Scott also ruled that registering Tongapo’uli’s name as a trustee after the Late Baron Fielakepa’s death on the grounds that Tupou was not 21 was wrong because Tupou was 21 years old at the time.
However, under Tonga’s constitution, the King retains absolute discretion in conferring hereditary noble titles. In this instance, despite Justice Scott’s ruling, His Majesty, according to the constitution clause 50 (2), maintained his decision to award the Fielakepa title to Tongapo’uli.
DNA Test Controversy
It had been revealed at the time that Tongapo’uli claimed in court that Tupou was not the biological son of Taulupe, his older brother.
He claimed Tupou’s father was ‘Atunaisa Fetokai of Haveluloto.
This was denied by Tupou and his mother, Mele Simiki Aleamotu’a, in court.
Tupou told the court he would voluntarily provide a DNA test to prove his paternity.
His mother told the court she did not want his son to take a DNA test.
After Fielakepa appealed the Land Court’s decision in favour of his nephew, the Privy Council rejected the appeal. The Privy Council also ruled that his nephew was the rightful heir to the Fielekap title.
The Privy Council also noted that while modern scientific methods like DNA testing could reliably resolve such disputes, current law prohibits courts from compelling anyone to submit to DNA testing.
