The Minister for Justice has been taken off the no fly list and can travel abroad as of July 19 as approved by the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

Sione Vuna Fa’otusia appeared before Lord Chief Justice O.G Paulsen on July 19 and had his case (an appeal by the Crown) adjourned to be heard on a later date, before another Supreme Court judge.

The Crown stated it also consented for the Minister to be taken off the no list and be allowed to travel abroad.

Since earlier in January, the Minister was charged with wrongful interference with the course of justice and using threatening language to police officers in a dispute over a stolen cow.

He was released on bail but was put on the no fly list.

However, on June 20 a Magistrate granted an application for a variation to his bail, which allowed him to travel abroad, but the Crown was not present.

This resulted in this appeal by the Crown, which alleges that the Minister’s application to the Magistrate did not follow proper procedure according to the Bail Act.

A date is to be confirmed on when this appeal will be heard by the Court.