Four Tongan nationals who have been charged with forgery, receiving bribery and other related charges regarding a complaint over a Tongan passport application that allegedly involved a forged birth certificate, will appear for trial starting on Monday, September 12 in Nuku’alofa.

Sione ‘Ahohako, Sioeli Heleta, Ola Feauna Tameifuna and ‘Isikeli Kaumavae will appear before Hon Mr Justice Cato for a two-week trial.

It is understood that two of these accused were employed with the Ministry of Justice when they allegedly committed these offences.

Since late last year, Tonga Police have charged 12 people into the alleged forgery and illegal issuance of Tongan passports. 

This is the first of the trials into the alleged passport forgery, while others are pending.