Nobles sue Tonga sports Council head for defamation over article on Games funding

Two of Tonga’s most senior Nobles will return to court on December 3 for the  next stage of a case for defamation brought against the Chairman of the Tonga Sports Council, ‘Ikani Taliai.

(L-R) Lord Sevele, Lord Tupou and ‘Ikani Taliai

Lord Tupou and Lord Sevele are suing Taliai in the Nuku’alofa Magistrate’s Court over allegations of that they misused TP$400 million in sports funding.

The first court hearing was held on Thursday, November 19.

Veteran Tongan journalist Kalafi Moala reported that the Nobles claimed they were defamed in an article Taliai wrote and posted on Facebook. The article has been widely copied.

The article centres on the controversy surrounding TASANOC and the decision to cancel the Pacific Games.

Lord Sevele and Lord Tupou had both been President and Vice President of TASANOC at various times.

The then Prime Minister, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, wanted TASANOC dissolved and replaced by the Tonga Sports Council.

A contract to host the 2019 Pacific Games was signed in October 2012 by the then Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano, the Pacific Games Council and the Tonga Pacific Games Association.

Hon. Pohiva cancelled the games, claiming Tonga could not afford them. This contradicted previous government statements that constructing of Games venues and facilities would boost the economy.

The Pacific Games Council sued the Pohiva  Government for breach of contract. TASANOC also launched legal proceedings for the recovery of money spent on preparing for the Games.

The legal action is  based on a contention that that the government was contractually obliged to provide the Pacific Game Organizing Committee (PGOC) funding for organizing and holding the Games, which had been estimated at TP$400 million.

A further claim was made that the PGOC should have been incorporated as a company so that the putative TP$400 million would have been vested in the company rather than its membership.

However, by  being incorporated as a charitable trust, the hypothetical TP$400 million in costs for funding the Pacific Games was vested in a Board.

About The Author

Sometimes when a business is growing, it needs a little help.

Right now Kaniva News provides a free, politically independent, bilingual news service for readers around the world that is absolutely unique. We are the largest New Zealand-based Tongan news service, and our stories reach Tongans  wherever they are round the world. But as we grow, there are increased demands on Kaniva News for translation into Tongan on our social media accounts and for the costs associated with expansion. We believe it is important for Tongans to have their own voice and for Tongans to preserve their language, customs and heritage. That is something to which we are strongly committed. That’s why we are asking you to consider sponsoring our work and helping to preserve a uniquely Tongan point of view for our readers and listeners.

spot_imgspot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Latest news

Related news