From the Skies to the Courts: Poasi Tei Sues Government Over Dismissal from Lulutai Airlines
Less than a year after his abrupt dismissal from Lulutai Airlines, former CEO Poasi Tei is suing the government, alleging that the manner in which he was removed from his post was unlawful and unjust. Tei is said to be disputing the 30-day notice period he was given and claims the reasons cited for his termination were vague and insufficient to justify the decision.
The lawsuit marks a dramatic twist in the ongoing public life of a man whose career has already weathered intense scrutiny and controversy. Once Deputy Prime Minister and a key figure in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, Tei was disqualified from Parliament in 2022 after the Supreme Court found him guilty of three counts of electoral bribery stemming from his 2021 re-election campaign. The Court of Appeal upheld the ruling, and Parliament removed him from office shortly thereafter. In a sign that the Tei name still held considerable sway, his wife, Dulcie Tei, won the Tongatapu 6 seat in the November 2022 by-election that followed his removal.
In a move that shocked many, Tei was soon appointed CEO of Lulutai Airlines by then-Prime Minister Hu‘akavameiliku. The appointment drew heavy criticism from transparency advocates and civil society leaders who questioned why a recently disqualified public official—removed for corrupt practices—was being given leadership over a state-owned enterprise. Many saw the decision as emblematic of a larger failure in ethical governance.
Tei’s time at the airline was marred by persistent public complaints about operational failures, financial instability, and internal disorganisation. With growing frustration over flight delays, unreliable schedules, and the airline’s growing debt, the incoming government of Prime Minister Eke initiated a formal review of Lulutai’s operations early in 2025. The review, led by a team of independent advisors, reportedly found serious failings in both management and oversight under Tei’s tenure. In February, the government terminated his contract, replacing him with Tevita Palu, as acting CEO,a former head of Real Tonga Airlines.
The lawsuit filed by Tei has reopened a heated debate over the ethical expectations placed on public appointees, especially those leading state-owned entities. His critics argue that someone previously found guilty of bribery should never have been appointed in the first place. Tei and his supporters, however, maintain that his dismissal was politically motivated and executed without fairness or transparency. They point to his contributions to public service and argue that the review was used as a pretext for removing him for reasons unrelated to performance.
As the matter proceeds through the courts, it is likely to test both the legal boundaries of executive authority and the standards of accountability expected in Tonga’s public sector. Whether Tei’s challenge will succeed remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his departure from Parliament did not end his presence in national affairs. His case continues to raise difficult questions about political patronage, public trust, and the evolving standards of governance in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Tu’ifua Vailena
