A Supreme Court ruling will be delivered on October 25 on an application by Lord Tu‘ivakano to strike out nine of the 15 charges against him, relating to the issuance of Tongan passports.

Lord Chief Justice Michael Whitten heard submissions on the application from Clive Edwards, who is representing the accused.

He submitted for these charges, which included two on money laundering and seven for accepting of bribes by a Government servant, be struck out due to insufficient evidence.

The Crown represented by Tevita ‘Aho made his submission in opposition, before the matter was adjourned to October 25 for a ruling.

Meanwhile, the Crown in a separate application asked to have a joint trial for Lord Tu'ivakano and two other co-accused, namely Isabella Satua Tu’akoi and ‘Ileana Suliana Taulua, who are similarly facing passport offences.

The Crown's position is that the facts relating to the three are the same. This is opposed strongly by the defence.

The Lord Chief Justice is expected to hear this separate application after the ruling on October 25.

Previously on June 14, the accused noble and former Prime Minister had pleaded not guilty to all 15 charges, which included perjury, making a false statement, money laundering and accepting bribes, relating to the Tongan passports.

Another three charges are made against him for possession of firearms and ammunition without a license.