Sione Sisifa

The Preliminary Inquiry for Lord Tu’iha’ateiho, the current Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, who is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, has been set for July 29-31.

Defence counsel for the six accused who have been charged with manslaugher following the death in police custody of a New Zealand Police officer, Kali Fungavaka last August, presented a written submission to Magistrate Salesi Mafi today, March 5, in response to earlier submissions made by the prosecutor, during a Preliminary Inquiry on February 25-28, calling for the case to be tried at the Supreme Court.

A Preliminary Inquiry of the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga Lord Tu’iha’ateiho, who has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm without a license will be held on February 22. Meanwhile Lord Tu’ilakepa’s appeal against a Magistrate ruling will be heard on January 30.

Lord Tu’ilakepa, a former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga who is facing multiple charges of conspiracy to the importation of illicit drugs and illegal possession of firearms, had his case adjourned yet again. He is appealing against a decision by a Magistrate, for the Preliminary Inquiry to be held on 27 November.