The National Reserve Bank of Tonga reported that the Court of Appeal allowed its appeal and dismissed proceedings brought by the Anti-Corruption Commissioner against the Bank, its Governor, Chairman and Board, finding the case was doomed to fail and should not have been brought. The dispute related to commemorative payments made to staff to mark the Bank’s thirty-fifth anniversary. According to the Bank, its Board resolved on 12 September 2024 to grant the payments after the Governor sought and obtained legal advice from the Bank’s Senior Counsel that the payout complied with the National Reserve Bank of Tonga Act. The Court found that the statement of claim did not disclose a reasonable cause of action, rejected the Commissioner’s allegation that the staff payment was illegal, and held there were no pleaded facts or evidence that could establish improper conduct by the Governor or that the directors acted in bad faith or with reckless indifference, describing that contention as untenable.
National Reserve Bank of Tonga 2025-11-25
National Reserve Bank of Tonga wins Court of Appeal dismissal of Anti-Corruption Commissioner proceedings over staff anniversary payments
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga successfully appealed against proceedings by the Anti-Corruption Commissioner, with the Court of Appeal dismissing the case related to staff payments for the Bank's anniversary, citing a lack of reasonable cause of action and no evidence of misconduct.