The Supreme Court in Tonga has refused to revoke the authority of Siosaia Pekipaki to administer his mother ‘Ofa Pekipaki’s estate.
However, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said he would not make an order on costs because Siosaia had misled the court and had brought the court proceedings on himself.
Kaniva News reports ‘Ofa Pekipaki died without a will on April 15, 2016 in the United States.
Siosaia Pekipaki was granted letters of administration by the Supreme Court on November 21, 2016.
Frank Powell, a half-brother of Siosaia from ‘Ofa’s first marriage, applied to revoke the letters of administration on the ground that Siosaia had lied when said he did not have any information about Powell’s whereabouts in the United States and failed to disclose that he had two other half-brothers from ‘Ofa’s first marriage.
‘Ofa and her brother Tevita Moimoi, who has also died, were joint holders of a registered lease of a property on the corner of Railway Road and Salote Road, Nuku’alofa. The court was told the lease expired in 2070 and was a valuable asset.
Tevita Moimoi died in 2015 and no application was made to administer his estate. His widow, Mele’ana Moimoi, 78, years and is living in the property.
Siosaia argued that on his death Tevita’s interest in the lease passed to ‘Ofa.
At the time of her death her one asset in Tonga was the lease.
On June 21, 2016 Siosaia gave public notice ·in the Talaki Newspaper of his intention to apply for letters of administration and for any creditor to give notice of any claim to him. No creditor made any claim.
Powell launched his application to have Siosaia’s authority to administer the estate. He alleged that Siosai was aware of the existence of the other siblings. Other submissions were made, including one from Mrs. Pahulu-Kuli who claimed Siosaia had lied to fraudulently obtain for himself a greater share of the estate than he was entitled to.
Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said while some doubt had been cast on Siosaia’s trustworthiness, it fell short of establishing an intention to defraud.
However, after careful reflection the judge said he had decided not to revoke his grant to administer the estate.
While Powell said he was concerned with ensuring a fair distribution of the estate, neither he nor anybody other than Siosaia made any attempt to preserve the lease or to apply for letters of administration.
There was a chance the lease would have been cancelled if but for the steps taken by Siosaia to preserve it by paying the outstanding rent.
The judge said he was satisfied that the steps taken by Siosaia to administer the estate were prudent and appropriate.
“I am also satisfied that Siosaia understands his obligations as administrator and has identified those who are entitled to share in the estate, including his half-brothers,” the judge said.
He said suggestions that Powell and Siosaia be appointed joint administrators were not realistic. He had no confidence they could co-operate in the interests of the estate. Any such arrangement would invite further legal action.