Tu'ilakepa case adjourned after cyclone [1]
Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 15:42. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Lord Tu'ilakepa, a former Speaker, and current Vava'u Noble's Representative to the Tonga Parliament, had his firearms and drugs case rescheduled for a week, when the Magistrate's Court was adjourned due to Tropical Cyclone Jasmine that hit Tongatapu on February 14.
The case is expected to be called within a week, on a date to be set, when Lord Tu'ilakepa will decide whether to proceed with a Preliminary Inquiry at the Magistrate's Court or submit his case directly to the Supreme Court for trial.
Lord Tu'ilakepa is charged with numerous counts, including possession of illegal firearms, possession of illegal ammunition and possession of an illicit drug.
He is charged along with with four others in relation to the illicit drug offences. The other accused are
Sione Vakapuna, Walter Kami, Taniela Taumoepeau and Tevita Mahe.