The Crown has dropped six charges of bribery and money laundering against Lord Tu'ivakano, in relation to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals. The jury trial proceeds next week on three remaining charges against the former Prime Minister.

Crown Prosecutor Semisi Lutui today, informed the Court, the Attorney General's direction of not proceeding with counts 1-6. This included five for accepting bribe as a government servant and one on money laundering.

Due to this revelation, Lord Chief Justice Whitten advised jurors that the Crown had dropped six charges.

The trial will proceed on the remaining three counts of making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport, perjury and possession of (212 pieces) ammunition without a license.

The accused had already pleaded guilty to possession of an arm without a license (.22 rifle) on Wednesday, March 4.

Case

The Court heard, on the bribe charges, the Prosecution alleged on different dates between 2013-14, while acting in the capacity as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the accused accepted money as inducement for the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals.

The amount ranged, alleging in one acceptance of a bribe charge, as much as $199,408.94 pa'anga was received, while the lowest was $3,000 pa'anga, on another.

On money laundering, Prosecution alleged this was money derived either directly or indirectly from a serious offence.

Defense counsel William Clive Edwards in opening their case argued that Prosecution had failed to prove these offences.

He said, his client had won this money from a casino in Macau.

The accused, who gave a lengthy evidence earlier in the week, said he won this money when he got lucky, while playing the machine at the casino. This was during a brief visit to Macau, in November 2013.

Defence witnesses

Meanwhile, the fourth week of trial ended today, after the defence concluded calling four witnesses.

The last witness was Siaosi Kiu Kaho, the accused's son, who is a Major with His Majesty's Armed Forces, among other roles he had been assisigned to.

The Court heard from his evidence, that the ammunition seized by Police at this father's house in Kolofo'ou was from him. He said the ammunition belonged to his work (HMAF) which he kept for training purposes.

Other defence witnesses had included the accused's, wife Joyce Robyn Tu'ivakano and Dr Sione Latu.

Robyn in her evidence, said the dealing in regards to money transferred to her from Sien Lee was for their two homes. The money was for refurbishment and rent deposits on the homes for the Chinese investors. She also denied submissions that the money she received was for the offences, of which her husband was accused of.

Dr Latu, in his evidence, said he knew of Lord Tu'ivakano's wins at the casino in Macau. He was part of this trip to Macau.

The doctor was at the hotel with the accused's grandson, when the accused and two others returned from the casino. He was told of the wins.

In addition, on the first night Lord Tu'ivakano went out to the casino, he returned with a brown paper bag, where the money was kept inside. He gave this to his grandson to put in their room's safe, he said.

The doctor who was told of the overall amount, said he had no doubt, this money belonged to Tu'ivakano, which he won at the casino.

Trial continues

The jury trial continues next week on the three remaining counts.

Counsel are expected to make their final submissions, before the Chief Justice sums up the case to the jurors. The jury will then retire to deliberate on their verdicts.

The accused who is Tonga's former Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs was initially charged with 10 counts, at the start of the trial on February 11, at the Supreme Court.