The trial to hear an election petition filed against Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu for corruption during his election campaign last year completed hearing evidence from witnesses today Tuesday, 15 December.

The remaining witnesses were for the defendant Lavulavu, the Minister of Tourism. The trial will hear final submissions from counsel on Wednesday, 16 December before Chief Justice O.G. Paulsen sets a date to give his judgment.

One of the witnesses for the defendant, ‘Automalu Tupou an officer-in-charge of the Ministry of Infrastructure, told the court on 14 December that all road works carried out from July to November 2014, were under a Vava’u Road Council.

The petitioner Viliami Uasike Latu’s side has submitted to the court that the defendant had personally carried out this road construction in Vava’u 16 constituency, as part of his election campaign.

Latu is represented by William Clive Edwards while Sifa Tu’utafaiva represents Lavulavu.