‘Akilisi Pohiva pays legal costs before election deadline [1]
Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 16:44
‘Akilisi Pohiva paid $22,000 in legal costs to the Supreme Court yesterday, October 20, so that he can stand as a candidate for Tonga’s General Election on November 27, 2014.
The Supreme Court office confirmed today that the Tongatapu No.1 People’s Representative had paid the full amount on Monday.
This was after Chief Justice Hon Michael Scott ordered him on Friday, October 17 to pay the legal cost to the Supreme Court Registrar before the close of business today, Tuesday October 21.
The Chief Justice's decision was in response to two applications filed by ‘Akilisi’s counsel, H E Harrison QC, SC who sought to defer a Magistrate’s Court order for his client to pay $22,000 legal costs.
The basis of the application was that unless the order awarding costs was set aside or at the very least stayed, prior to the close of nominations for the General Election, the applicant would be prevented from standing for the election.
'Akilisi had initially taken unsuccesssful private prosecutions against Lord Tu’ivakano, HRH Princess Salote Pilolevu Tuita, William Clive Edwards and the Friendly Islands Satellite Communications Ltd in the Magistrate’s Courts. He was then ordered by Magistrate Salesi Mafi to pay costs, a decision which he appealed and was dismissed by the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the nomination of candidates for the election will be held this week on October 23-24.