Lord Tu’ivakano has pleaded guilty this morning, March 4 to possession of an arm without a license. He will be sentenced on a later date.

This was after he changed his plea from not guilty, when during his evidence it was revealed that at time time Police executed the search at his home in Kolofo'ou, he had no license to the .22 rifle, on March 1, 2018.

Defense counsel William Edwards had intially submitted in opening the defence case, that the accused had a license to the firearm, and he would tell the Court, when he gave evidence. 

However, the accused explained that he had a license before, which expired and had directed his driver at the Legislative Assembly as he was Speaker of Parliament, at the time to renew it.

The accused gave the driver about $20 pa'anga for the renewal.

The Court then heard, he then left for New Zealand and only came back after Tropical Cyclone Gita, with the belief that his license had been renewed. 

Lord Chief Justice Whitten, excused the jury and advised defense counsel that this was no defence.

He said an explanation to why he had not got his license renewed might only go to sentence mitigation.

The Crown Prosecutor also agreed to this, that this explanation was no defence.

Court was then adjourned for 10 minutes for defence counsel to consider this further with client. When Court resumed, it was confirmed, the accused would be re-arraigned on this count.

Lord Tu'ivakano then pleaded guilty to possession of the arm without a license.

The Chief Justice then advised jurors, not to consider this count in their verdict.

The accused will be sentenced on this offence on a later date.

The jury trial continues at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.