Tatafu Moeaki, who won the Tongatapu 4 seat in the last election, has joined former Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’I’onetoa as well as Cabinet Minister Sangster Saulala in having their election annulled by the Supreme Court.
Justice Laki Niu found Moeaki guilty of bribery this morning following a complaint by Māteni Tapueluelu, who stood unsuccessfully in the election.
Moeaki was appointed Minister for Finance by the incoming government.
Mr Niu said: “Because it has been proved to the satisfaction of this court at the trial of this election petition of the petitioner, Mateni Tapueluelue, against the respondent, Tatafu Moeaki, that the respondent, Tatafu Moeaki is guilty of two offences of bribery under section 21 of the Electoral Act and in pursuance of the provisions of section 32 of that Act , this court declares that the election of Tatafu Moeaki as the representative for Tongatapu 4 constituency is void”.
………………..More to come
