The charge against former Minister of Police Piveni Piukala—alleged to have assisted a man subject to a restraining order to leave Tonga—has now been confirmed as interference with the course of justice.
Piukala is expected to appear in court this morning, Monday 25 May, following an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into allegations he interfered in a court matter that allowed Mormon leader Pita Foliaki Hopate to leave the country.
This development was revealed by Piukala himself during a recent live stream broadcast on VPON Media.
Section 65 of the Criminal Offences Act states:
“Every person who conspires or attempts to interfere wrongfully in any manner with the course of justice in any matter, civil or criminal, shall be liable to imprisonment for any period not exceeding 5 years.”
Piukala said he was confident he had done nothing wrong, as alleged in the charge. He also appeared to mock the court, repeating a remark he made previously that the charge was “lighter than a cigarette paper,” referring to the very thin paper used to roll tobacco.
Court Order Remains Active
Authorities had earlier confirmed that Hopoate remains the subject of ongoing court proceedings, and that a formal order had been issued preventing him from departing Tonga.
The restraining order followed legal action brought by ʻEpalahame Taukeiʻaho, a member of their Mormon Church school alumni association.
It is understood that Hopoate is currently in the United States.
The case has attracted widespread public attention, raising serious concerns about the enforcement of court orders and the potential misuse of authority at the highest levels of government.
As previously reported by Kaniva News, the matter triggered intense public debate and exposed deep divisions across Tonga’s political and social landscape.
At the time the incident first emerged last year, former Minister of Customs Māteni Tapueluelu publicly criticised Mr Piukala, questioning what was seen as interference in matters under his ministry’s authority at the airport.
Lord Vaea—now Speaker of Parliament—also raised concerns at the time, criticising then-Prime Minister Dr ʻAisake Eke for not removing Mr Piukala from Cabinet earlier.
Dr Eke later confirmed that Mr Piukala resigned in December, citing pressure from the Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner to allow the investigation to proceed independently.
As reported earlier, Mr Piukala has not denied assisting Mr Hopoate, maintaining publicly that he believed it was his duty as a Member of Parliament to help members of the public who approached him for assistance.
The case is expected to continue drawing strong public and political attention as it proceeds through the courts.
