Lord Tu’ivakano appeals his conviction [1]
Friday, September 4, 2020 - 18:33
An appeal by Lord Tu’ivakano against his conviction will be heard on September 22 by Tonga’s Appeal Court in Nuku’alofa.
The Crown confirmed today, he is appealing against his conviction, after a jury found him guilty on three charges of making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a Tongan passport, perjury and possession of an arm and ammunition without a license.
He was convicted at the end of a jury trial at the Supreme Court on March 9.
The noble and former Prime Minister was sentenced to two-years imprisonment, which was fully suspended on the charges relating to the issuance of the passports.
He was then fined $4,000 for possession of a firearm (.22 rifle) and 212 pieces of ammunition without a license.
Meanwhile, the only other case to be heard by the Appeal Court is a land appeal by Kaufusi & Hua v Veatupu & Ors on September 21.
Hon. Justices Blanchard, White and Moore will preside over this second appeal session that will run in Court via video conference, as the judges live abroad and cannot be physically present due to COVID-19 restrictions.