Deputy PM returns to Tonga, pleads not guilty on charges in Supreme Court [1]
Saturday, December 12, 2020 - 22:51
Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Sione Vuna Fa‘otusia was arraigned at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court today on two charges, including interference with the course of justice, in a dispute over a stolen cow in January 2019.
He appeared before Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC and pleaded not guilty to interference with the course of justice and using threatening language to a government servant.
The Prosecution confirmed the case was then adjourned to January 29, 2021 to decide on its future direction, including fixing a trial date.
The Deputy Prime Minister appeared in Court after completing quarantine and home isolation, since returning from New Zealand. It is understood he has been abroad, since Tonga's borders closed in March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cow row
Initially on April 29, this year Lord Chief Justice Whitten in a judgment, ruled that the Deputy PM will be arraigned on the charges, after allowing an appeal by the Crown (Police).
The appeal was against Principal Magistrate Mafi's decision not to refer a s.65 of the Criminal Offences Act charge (interference with the course of justice) to the Supreme Court for trial.
The Court heard the incident occured on January 12, 2019 during a police investigation into the stolen cow, when three police officers retrieved the cow from a property at Ha'ateiho.
The alleged offences occured when the Deputy PM (who was the Minister of Justice at the time) telephoned the police officers.
In the same judgment, the Lord Chief Justice submitted that due to his position, an overseas judge should be appointed to hear the trial.