Tu'ilakepa a former Speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly and a current member of parliament who faces charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunitions, had his case adjourned to May 17 for the start of a Preliminary Inquiry at the Magistrate's Court.

Tu'ilakepa, a Vava'u Noble's Representative, was present at the Fasi Magistrate's Court compound this morning and was represented in court by Mana Kaufusi.

A Preliminary Inquiry was set to begin on April 26 but was adjourned to May 17, so that Crown could provide the defence with documents relating to the case.

Tu'ilakepa was initially charged with five counts, that included two for possession of illegal firearms, two for possession of illegal ammunition and one count for possession of an illicit drug.

The Preliminary Inquiry set for May 17 is only for the firearms and ammunition charges.

The Crown has to date, separated Tu'ilakepa's one count of possession of illicit drug offence as it is understood that the police are investigating others who are involved in this crime and their case would be heard together.

Transnational

The charges followed a transnational police investigation into illicit drugs conducted in Tonga and Australia. On December 2, 2010 Tonga Police executed five search warrants at four locations in Tongatapu and one location in Vava'u.

This resulted in the arrest of Lord Tu'ilakepa in Nuku'alofa.

Tu'ilakepa remains on bail under the condition that his passport is surrendered to the court and he is prohibited from traveling abroad and domestically outside of Tongatapu.