The Trump administration has expanded its travel restrictions, adding Tonga and 14 other countries to a list of nations facing partial entry bans.
The move follows a warning issued in June that countries failing to address security and documentation concerns could face restrictions.
At the time, then-Prime Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke described the travel ban warning he received from the United States as ‘shocking.’ He said the notice was forwarded to Crown Prince Tupouto‘a and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His comments indicated that the Prime Minister’s Office did not play an active role in the response process.
On Tuesday, U.S. officials confirmed that citizens from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria will face full entry bans, while individuals holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents are also prohibited from entering the United States.
Partial restrictions will apply to travellers from 15 countries, including Tonga, alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The administration said the decision was based on concerns over “widespread corruption, fraudulent or unreliable civil documents, and criminal records” that complicate vetting processes.
Officials also cited high rates of visa overstays, refusal to accept deportees, and “general lack of stability and government control” as contributing factors
The latest update follows intense debate within Tonga’s online community, where concerns have grown among the nation’s nearly 80,000 Tongans living in the United States, as the June warning could impact their situation.
The expanded travel ban reflects ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to tighten immigration controls and enhance national security.
Critics argue the policy disproportionately affects developing nations and could strain diplomatic relations, while supporters maintain it is necessary to safeguard U.S. borders and prevent security risks.
A leaked proposal to sell Tongan citizenship for investment—projected to raise up to US$400 million over five years—has become a central issue in next week’s prime ministerial election, reviving concerns over past passport scandals and exposing divisions over the nation’s economic future.
Speaker Lord Fakafanua. Photo/Screenshot
Tonga’s 26-member Parliament will elect a new Prime Minister next week, in a contest now influenced by the apparent involvement of noble MP and Legislative Assembly Speaker Lord Fakafanua in the passport investment proposal. His potential candidacy has surprised observers, as nobles have not participated in premiership elections for the past three governments—a situation previously linked to the King’s reported advice for them to step back.
Lord Fakafanua did not respond when asked by Kaniva News whether he intends to stand in the upcoming Prime Ministerial election.
The citizenship by investment (CBI) plan, designed and promoted by the prominent investment migration firm Henley & Partners, would allow foreigners to obtain Tongan citizenship through a substantial financial contribution. The document indicates that the cost of Tongan citizenship for a single applicant is set at USD$190,000, while a family of two to four members would pay USD$220,000. The payment is described as a non-refundable contribution to a government fund or a donation to a charity.
Lord Speaker Fakafanua argues the plan offers a vital solution to chronic budget deficits and donor dependency. However, critics warn the proposal could repeat past mistakes, pointing to passport sales in the 1980s that involved international criminals and generated US$26 million — funds that were later lost in a failed investment scheme in the United States.
Global Firm, Local Lobbying
According to the leaked documents obtained by Kaniva News, lobbyists for the scheme appear to have held meetings with senior royally appointed officials from September 2023 through May 2025.
These included Tonga’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Va’inga Tone, former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, Speaker Lord Fakafanua, and the Attorney General.
A senior official told Kaniva News on condition of anonymity that Lord Fakafanua and lobbyists approached the Eke Cabinet with the proposal and also lobbied ministers individually in an attempt to secure approval, but the plan was ultimately rejected
“My involvement was to introduce a potential solution to governments over reliance on aid dependency, budget deficit and lack of foreign investment opportunities for Tonga,” Lord Fakafanua told Kaniva News.
“The government is over reliant on overseas donor support to balance its budget each year. Unless the government diversifies its revenue sources the future of our finances is uncertain.”
The Lord Speaker said Henley & Partners was introduced to him by a senior councillor. After reviewing the firm’s work, he presented it to successive governments. He acknowledged that the term “passport” sale is politically sensitive, particularly given past Tongan passport scandals, but insisted the new proposal — co-designed with the government — is fundamentally different.
“This scheme has the potential to bring financial independence,” he said, citing potential investments in health, education, crime prevention and infrastructure.
“There is an opportunity to alleviate the local tax payers and lift the population from poverty and hardships.”
The proposal includes safeguards such as rigorous multi-layer vetting, depositing all funds into government accounts, and revoking citizenship for false applications, Lord Fakafanua said.
A Troubled Global Track Record
Henley & Partners’ involvement has raised eyebrows, given its central role in CBI programs now under global scrutiny.
The firm helped establish Malta’s “golden passport” scheme, ruled illegal by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) this year.
The ECJ ruled on April 29, 2025, that Malta’s CBI scheme was illegal and incompatible with EU law, as it commodified citizenship without requiring a genuine link to the country. Henley & Partners was the sole marketing agent for the program and generated significant revenue from it. It opposed the ECJ decision, arguing that it lacks a strong legal basis and reflects a misunderstanding of the socio-economic role of investment migration.
The CBI program also reportedly processed applications for individuals such as fugitive Jho Low, who is accused of embezzling $4.5 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, enabling him to obtain a passport from Cyprus.
Low also obtained economic citizenship from St. Kitts and Nevis in 2011 though he never visited the island; the passport was later revoked in 2018. He used these ‘golden passports’ to facilitate international travel and evade capture while implicated in the multi-billion-dollar fraud.
In the Pacific, Henley & Partners managed Nauru’s Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program (NECRCP), launched in November 2024 during the COP29 climate conference. The firm was appointed as the official agent to design, administer, and promote the program, aimed at attracting investment for climate adaptation initiatives.
Previously, in 2003, Nauru faced strong criticism over its former passport investment scheme’s weak vetting process, which reportedly allowed criminals—including individuals linked to al-Qaeda—and politically exposed persons to obtain passports.
Vanuatu operated a similar passport investment scheme, though not managed by Henley & Partners. The European Union revoked visa-free access for Vanuatu passport holders, citing serious security risks from its ‘golden passport’ program. The scheme lacked adequate vetting, resulting in citizenship being granted to criminals, sanctioned individuals, and those listed by Interpol, posing significant threats to EU security despite years of dialogue and partial suspensions.
Ghosts of the Past
The ongoing debate over Chinese influence in Tonga’s Nukuʻalofa central business district is rooted in the former passport sale program, which allowed more than 400 Chinese citizens to purchase Tongan passports and settle in the country during the early 1990s.
Those documents were also reportedly used for drug smuggling and international travel by figures, including members of the ousted Marcos family of the Philippines.
Anonymous critics cited this history to Kaniva News, warning that without ironclad transparency and governance, any new program risks repeating these failures and threatening regional security.
The proposal, while actively lobbied for, has not been approved by successive cabinets.
Its fate now rests with the incoming government, making the election a de facto referendum on a policy that promises financial independence at the risk of national reputation and integrity.
In an unprecedented and severe crackdown, the National Rugby League (NRL) has proposed suspending three Tonga XIII officials from the sport for two years.
This follows its investigation into the serious injury suffered by forward Eliesa Katoa during a match at Eden Park, New Zealand, on November 2, 2025.
The investigation, launched after the concerning incident, has uncovered “a number of serious concerns regarding possible breaches of the NRL Rules and protocols” in the treatment of the star player.
Central to the findings is what the NRL describes as “a possible breakdown in communication between responsible medical and health professionals” regarding Katoa’s safety.
The league specifically cited “a failure to share and disclose information that was vital to the health of the player.”
“The NRL Rules and protocols exist to protect player safety and wellbeing and must be followed,” the league stated firmly in its release.
As a result, the NRL has issued breach notices to four Tonga XIII officials, proposing heavy sanctions.
The Head Doctor and Assistant Doctor for the Tongan side each face a prohibition from involvement with any NRL club, representative team, or player for “a period of no less than 24 months.”
The Orange Shirt Head Trainer faces an identical 24-month ban.
A fourth official, the Yellow Shirt Medical Assistant, has been issued a formal warning.
All four individuals will also be mandated to undergo further training on concussion protocols and their responsibilities under NRL rules. They have five business days to respond to the breach notices before final determinations are made.
The NRL reiterated that all on-field trainers and medical personnel are required to annually complete the league’s Elite Head Injury/Concussion protocols and maintain strict medical qualifications.
“The NRL is continuing to support Mr Katoa and his family during his important recovery,” the statement concluded, underscoring the human element at the heart of the disciplinary action.
This decisive move signals the NRL’s strongest-ever stance on enforcing its concussion safety standards, setting a new benchmark for accountability among team medical staff.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf at the time defended team doctors, saying everything was “done by the book”.
“We’ve got two very experienced doctors there,” he said. “They’ve done their usual HIA. He’s passed all that and passed all that well.
“My job is not to question doctors. They were both comfortable with that and comfortable with him coming back onto the field, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about there in terms of the process.”
A leading Tongan public health expert has been elected as a Fellow of the Pacific Academy of Sciences (PAS), marking a major achievement for Pacific-led research and innovation.
Professor Sunia Foliaki
Professor Sunia Foliaki, a public health physician from Ha‘afeva and Kanokupolu, co-leads Pacific health research at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Centre for Public Health Research (CPHR).
His expertise spans cancer epidemiology, asthma, palliative care, and other non-communicable diseases.
Recognition for Impactful Research
CPHR Director Professor Jeroen Douwes said the Fellowship recognises Professor Foliaki’s outstanding research and its positive impact on Pacific communities.
“I am delighted that Professor Foliaki has been made a Fellow of the Pacific Academy of Sciences. The Fellowship is a tribute to his work and the difference it makes for Pacific people both in New Zealand and across the region,” Professor Douwes said.
He highlighted Professor Foliaki’s recent success in securing a $3.6 million grant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to improve access to timely health services in Tonga, and a $363,000 Ministry of Health grant to strengthen palliative care in Polynesia.
“These achievements demonstrate the real-world impact of his research. We are very proud to work alongside him,” Douwes added.
About the Pacific Academy of Sciences
Established in 2024, PAS brings together leading Pacific researchers, innovators, and knowledge holders to strengthen regional research and ensure Pacific science informs global discussions.
Professor Foliaki said his election was a great honour.
“As Pacific peoples, we must continue to build science beyond the reef – strengthening research, innovation, and collaboration across our small island nations.
By aligning our scientific endeavours with global standards while remaining grounded in Pacific values and wisdom, we can ensure our communities’ aspirations are represented in shaping the world’s scientific future,” he said.
Massey Pacific Leadership
Professor Foliaki joins fellow Massey academics Professor Palatasa (Tasa) Havea, Dean of Pacific, and Professor Jodie Hunter from the Institute of Education, who serve as Founding Fellows and members of the PAS Governing Board.
Professor Havea said the recognition reflects Foliaki’s commitment to improving Pacific health and advancing research that matters for communities.
“Massey Pacific is proud to have high-calibre staff like Sunia leading the way,” Havea said.
The Academy will formally induct its new Fellows at its inaugural Congress in Apia, Samoa, in February 2026.
Human trafficking remains a serious and persistent problem in Tonga, with the latest U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report warning that the country still falls short of minimum standards to combat exploitation despite recent progress.
Vulnerable young women and girls are increasingly being targeted under the guise of job offers or financial assistance, exposing a hidden trafficking crisis in Tonga, according to information recently obtained by Kaniva News from reliable sources.
It comes after we reported that Philippine authorities recently intercepted two individuals bound for Tonga under the guise of tourism, uncovering a scheme that promised lucrative jobs but led instead to exploitation.
The country’s Bureau of Immigration (BI) stopped the passengers, aged 35 and 31, on October 10 before they could board their flight.
The case highlighted a recurring trafficking modus operandi where victims are recruited with false promises of high-paying work abroad, only to be funnelled into situations of forced labour and severe exploitation.
In 2010, a Chinese woman residing in Tonga, Lirong Liu, was convicted by the Nukuʻalofa Supreme Court on seven charges, including trafficking in persons, keeping a brothel, and engaging in prostitution.
The court heard that Liu had brought two Chinese women to Tonga under the pretence of restaurant employment.
Upon arrival, they were forced into sex work, primarily servicing Chinese labourers in Tonga.
This case remains a significant legal precedent, underscoring the reality of cross-border trafficking.
Young Woman Lured with Job Offer
A mother and daughter in Nuku’alofa reported that a local woman offered the daughter a job washing dishes and cleaning.
However, upon arriving at the establishment, the girl was directed to a back room and questioned in a way that made her feel unsafe. Realising the job was not as advertised, she escaped, a source familiar with the matter told Kaniva News in August.
The recruiter allegedly pressured her to stay, calling her “foolish” for leaving.
The young woman later disclosed the incident to her mother.
The recruiter denied any wrongdoing, claiming it was a legitimate job offer.
The victim described the encounter as sexually suggestive and predatory.
Girls Seen Leaving Foreign Boats
In another incident, a tip-off was received by phone from a person exercising early in the morning, who reported seeing local Tongan girls disembarking from Chinese fishing boats at the Nukuʻalofa wharf, the source said.
The matter was referred to the police, but the outcome remains unclear.
Tonga Still on Tier 2 Watchlist
The United States Trafficking in Persons Report for 2025 places Tonga on Tier 2, meaning the country does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.
According to the report:
Tonga identified and provided services to a victim for the first time since 2015.
Prosecuted a suspected trafficker for the first time since 2011.
Cooperated with foreign law enforcement, resulting in the arrest of a suspected trafficker.
However, the report warns that Tonga has not convicted a trafficker since 2011 and still fails to:
Criminalise all forms of trafficking.
Systematically screen vulnerable populations.
Provide funding for victim protection services.
U.S. Report 2025: Prioritised Recommendations
The report urges Tonga to take the following actions immediately:
Fully implement standard operating procedures for proactive identification of trafficking victims among vulnerable groups and train all law enforcement and front-line workers on their use.
Increase efforts to proactively investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes.
Amend trafficking laws to criminalise all forms of trafficking in persons in line with international law, including crimes lacking cross-border movement.
Continue to fund and fully implement the National Action Plan (NAP).
Provide protections and benefits for victims, such as restitution, legal and medical assistance, and immigration relief.
Increase efforts to develop and conduct anti-trafficking information and education campaigns.
These cases reveal that trafficking in Tonga is both internal and international, often involving vulnerable women and girls. Experts warn that exploitation frequently occurs under the guise of employment opportunities, making it harder to detect and prevent.
A Hidden Crisis Demanding Action
Authorities and community leaders are calling for:
Stronger enforcement of anti-trafficking laws
Public awareness campaigns to educate communities
Support systems for victims, including safe houses, counselling, and legal aid
Human trafficking is a hidden crisis in Tonga—one that demands urgent attention before more lives are shattered.
Piveni Piukala has been suspended from his ministerial roles as Minister of Police and Minister for Public Enterprises, effective 8 December 2025, according to confirmation given to Kaniva Tonga News by Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke.
Piveni Piukala (L), Pita Hopoate and an unidentified individual. Photo/Supplied
The suspension follows allegations that Piukala helped facilitate overseas travel for Mormon leader Pita Hopoate despite a Police Court order prohibiting him from leaving Tonga in October.
As Kaniva News reported at the time, Customs Minister Māteni Tapueluelu, who was responsible for border control, immediately went public and criticised his colleague Minister Piukala for allegedly interfering with Hopoate’s court-imposed travel ban.
At the time, the Prime Minister said he had sought advice from the Attorney General’s Office and was advised that a police investigation must first determine whether Piukala breached the law before any further legal action could proceed.
The Police Commissioner told Kaniva News at the time that, after meeting with the Anti-Corruption Commissioner, they had “determined that the investigation is better suited to be undertaken by the ACC.”
The case has sparked debate over ministerial accountability and the enforcement of court orders in Tonga.
The Prime Minister also drew criticism for what was seen as a failure to move against Piukala promptly.
MP Lord Vaea expressed discontent among the nobles, figuratively noting that the path for handling such matters had already been clearly paved, yet the Prime Minister failed to follow it.
His comments reflect growing pressure on the Prime Minister to act decisively in cases involving alleged breaches of the law.
Transparency, Independence, No Guilt
PM Eke said this afternoon that Piukala’s suspension follows advice from the Anti-Corruption Commission, which described the move as a procedural measure to ensure transparency and independence while evidence is gathered.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the suspension does not imply guilt, noting that Piukala remains innocent unless and until proven otherwise by a court ruling.
During the suspension, Piukala retains his seat as a Member of Parliament and continues to participate in parliamentary duties, including preparations for the Prime Minister’s election.
He also retains MP privileges such as allowances.
Who is Pita Hopoate?
Pita Hopoate, a retired Area Seventy of the Mormon Church, is a high-profile figure who was under a Police Court order barring him from leaving Tonga.
Despite this restriction, Hopoate managed to flee the country and travel to the United States after the alleged assistance of Piukala.
The Minister never denied the allegation; instead, he made inconsistent attempts online to justify his actions.
He reportedly accused the judiciary of misinterpreting the restraining order.
He claimed it was his duty to assist Hopoate as a member of the public who allegedly sought his help to depart despite the court ban.
Commentary – Tonga’s democratic experiment is being tested yet again.
(L-R): Lord Vaea, PM ‘Aisake Eke and Minister of Police Piveni Piukala
Prime Minister Aisake Eke’s refusal to discipline Police Minister Piveni Piukala, who is accused of interfering with a court order restraining a Mormon leader from leaving the country, has sparked alarm among members of the nobility and beyond.
Lord Vaea, speaking last week with John Pulu of PMN Tonga, said the nobles were concerned about what they see as a lack of accountability from the Prime Minister.
He criticised Prime Minister Eke for failing to reach a firm decision on Minister Piukala, despite mounting public pressure over the allegations against him.
Lord Vaea stated that the absence of discipline risks eroding public trust in the government.
The concerns come after Piukala was suspended from Parliament in August following a physical altercation with Lord Tu‘ilakepa, Chairman of the Whole House Committee.
About a month after that incident, the Prime Minister announced he had warned Piukala that any further misconduct would result in his dismissal.
The current incident has intensified calls for stronger leadership and clearer standards of conduct within government ranks.
Legal Shield or Leadership Failure?
As pressure mounts, the question is simple: Will the Prime Minister act to restore confidence in the rule of law and uphold the integrity of Tonga’s democratic institutions?
Prime Minister Eke’s defence so far has been to invoke the principle that “everyone is innocent until proven guilty.” While this is a sacred pillar of criminal justice, it is a flimsy and inappropriate excuse for political inaction.
The Prime Minister is confusing a legal standard with a political imperative. His duty is not to adjudicate guilt but to safeguard the credibility of his administration.
Under Tonga’s Westminster-style system, ministers are held to a higher standard of conduct—one that prioritises public confidence over personal comfort.
Ministerial Responsibility Cannot Wait
The allegations against Piukala strike at the heart of the rule of law. A court order represents the authority of justice itself.
For the very Minister charged with upholding that law to be accused of undermining it creates a crisis of confidence that cannot be deferred.
How can Piukala command respect within the police force—or how can the public trust the justice system—while its chief political steward is under investigation for allegedly sabotaging it?
The ministry is effectively paralysed.
This is not a criminal trial. It is a question of political judgment. The doctrine of ministerial responsibility demands that when a minister’s conduct—confirmed or alleged—brings their office into disrepute, resignation or dismissal is the appropriate course.
The Cost of Delay
An investigation could take months or years. Can the government afford to operate under a cloud of suspicion for that long?
Every day Piukala remains in office signals that the alleged subversion of justice is met with indifference from the highest authority.
Removing Piukala pending the outcome of the investigation is not a declaration of guilt.
It is a necessary act to protect the integrity of the ministerial office and to reassure the nation that no one is above the law—especially those sworn to uphold it.
A Moment of Truth for Eke
Prime Minister Eke now faces a stark choice: hide behind misplaced legalism and watch public trust erode, or demonstrate true leadership by prioritising the health of Tonga’s democracy over the political comfort of one man.
Nuku’alofa – A timely shipment of fuel from a U.S. company is providing critical relief to Tonga as the nation grapples with a severe shortage that threatened to disrupt voter turnout for this week’s general elections.
The U.S. Embassy in Tonga confirmed the arrival of the fuel, expressing gratitude to Matson Shipping for dispatching the vessel Olomana with 50,000 litres of gasoline. The shipment comes after days of long queues and empty pumps at petrol stations across the kingdom.
According to the vessel-tracking website VesselFinder, the Olomana was scheduled to arrive in Tonga on Wednesday, Nov. 19, the day before the general election on Thursday, 20.
According to Tonga’s Consumer Affairs department, the nation’s sole fuel providers—Pacific Energy and Total Energies—have been allocating their diminishing reserves to maintain a supply of petrol for the public.
The measure is intended to last until the arrival of two oil tankers expected on November 25-26.
“The U.S. government is grateful to Matson Shipping for sending their ship the Olomana with 50,000 liters of gasoline to Tonga at a critical moment of need,” an embassy statement read.
It praised the move as “an excellent example of private enterprise stepping in to resolve a crisis for our close partner, friends, and family in Tonga.”
The shortage began last week after supplier Pacific Energy reported a temporary stock outage. The company attributed the crisis to supply chain delays, specifically the postponed arrival of a tanker from Fiji due to undisclosed issues, which left many of its outlets without fuel.
With residents rushing to fill their tanks, the escalating situation raised alarms about the potential impact on the country’s general elections, as voters and officials rely on transportation to reach polling stations.
Matson Shipping, a U.S. company headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, has an established history in the region.
It entered the South Pacific trade in 2013 after acquiring the assets of New Zealand-based Reef Shipping.
The company operates its South Pacific services through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Matson South Pacific Ltd.
The delivery from Matson is expected to help stabilise the fuel supply in the short term, alleviating concerns over mobility and election participation.
Former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is facing a possible suspension from boxing after testing positive for cocaine.
Joseph Parker
The 33-year-old New Zealander returned an adverse finding in a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) test conducted on October 25, the day of his fight against Britain’s Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 Arena.
Parker, who lost the bout in the 11th round, did not test positive for performance-enhancing substances but for a recreational drug, according to sources close to the investigation.
Cocaine is classified as a banned substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency code, and its use during competition can lead to a ban of up to two years.
The British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping are now reviewing the case.
Queensberry Promotions, Parker’s British promoter, confirmed the failed test in a statement, saying VADA had informed all relevant parties of the adverse finding.
“While the matter is investigated further, no additional comment will be made at this time,” the statement read.
Parker, who held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018, had been on a comeback trail with six consecutive wins before his defeat to Wardley. He has not yet commented publicly on the test result.
The boxer is entitled to request a B-sample analysis, although such results rarely differ from the initial finding.
If confirmed, the ban would derail Parker’s hopes of another world title shot and could sideline him from the sport for a significant period.
Nuku‘alofa – Minister of Police Piveni Piukala has publicly rejected an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into his alleged role in facilitating the departure of a high-ranking Mormon leader from Tonga, describing the probe as “veve” (rubbish) and accusing the judiciary of incompetence and bias.
Sylvester Tonga, VPON Media host and director with Minister of PolicePiveni Piukala
The ACC is examining claims that Piukala assisted Pita Foliaki Hopoate in departing for the United States despite a court-issued restraining order prohibiting him from travelling.
Police Commissioner Georff Turner told Kaniva News the case was referred to the ACC “to avoid any potential conflict of interest.”
“Mr Hopoate is the subject of an ongoing court matter, and a court order is in existence that prohibits him from leaving Tonga,” Turner said.
It is understood that the restraining order followed legal action brought against Hopoate by ‘Epalahame Taukei’aho, a member of their Mormon Church school alumni association.
Minister’s Media Defence
On Tuesday, November 11, Piukala mounted a vigorous defence during his regular segment on VPON—a media platform widely regarded as a political influencer—asserting, without challenge from host Sylvester Tonga, that his actions were justified.
Tonga informed Piukala that a report indicated the lawyer representing Taukei’aho had rejected what appeared to be an earlier claim by Piukala of an alleged agreement with Hopoate’s lawyer to process legal documents—an arrangement that, if accurate, might have enabled Hopoate to travel to the United States despite his court-issued restraining order.
Responding in Tongan, Piukala argued the issue stemmed from rote learning (“ako ma’uloto”), claiming the judiciary lacked sufficient understanding to handle the matter (“‘ikai ha maama fe’unga”).
He further alleged that the judge had “admitted” she did not review the background of the charges and was unaware of Hopoate’s identity, noting that the man was a retired Area 70 of the Mormon Church, “a position highly regarded” within the faith.
Piukala criticised the court for issuing the restraining order without hearing Hopoate’s side, claiming the judge had not called Hopoate or his associates before signing the order.
He warned that fully addressing the matter could “open a can of worms,” suggesting deeper, undisclosed complications.
“I acted with good intentions and am willing to go through the issue at all costs,” Piukala said. “I am glad this issue is unfolding, as it will reveal matters we did not expect.”
Lawyer Denies Agreement
Meanwhile, Allyssa Kafoa, lawyer for complainant Taukei’aho, vehemently denied what appeared to be an earlier allegation by Piukala that she had agreed with Hopoate’s lawyer to allow him to leave while processing the cancellation of the restraining order, according to Kakalu Online.
The paper quoted Kafoa as saying Piukala approached the judge in an attempt to release Hopoate, offering to act as “surety.”
It reported the judge rejected Piukala’s proposal and told him she needed to contact Kafoa first.
Political Fallout
The allegations have become a focal point for Piukala’s political opponents, who accuse him of undermining the rule of law.
His latest comments, directly challenging the integrity of both the ACC and the judiciary, are expected to intensify the political crisis and raise questions about the separation of powers between the police ministry and the courts.
The ACC has not yet issued a public response to Piukala’s accusations.
Kaniva News was unable to reach the judge or the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for comment.
