A hearing on an appeal by the Crown against a ruling by a Magistrate discharging four counts against former Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano, namely for accepting bribes by a government servant was heard on May 17 at the Supreme Court.

The hearing was presided over by Lord Chief Justice O.G. Paulsen, who reserved his ruling to be delivered sometime next week.

A date was then set down for June 14 for the case to be called again.

The Crown represented by the Acting Attorney General 'Aminiasi Kefu, made submissions on the appeal, with Clive Edwards representing the accused, who was in Court.

After the hearing, the Chief Justice ordered details of submissions not to be published so as not to prejudice the accused noble, whose trial has not been held.

The accused was initially charged with a total of 12 counts. In January this year, the Magistrate struck off the four counts of accepting bribes due to lack of evidence.

He then committed the eight other charges which he found had sufficient evidence to the Supreme Court for trial.

The Crown who disagreed with the striking out, appealed against the discharge of the four counts.

In March last year, the accused was arrested and charged with numerous counts, including making a false declaration to obtain a Tongan passport, money laundering and accepting bribes by a government servant.

He remains on bail extended today.