A SECOND Tongan noble, Tu'iha'ateiho, has been charged with one count of possession of an illegal firearm, after making a court appearance at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, December 7.

Police Prosecutor Mema Latu today confirmed the charges were laid against Tu'iha'ateiho who had elected for his case to be submitted to the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

The Police Prosecutor said that Tu'iha'ateiho's case would be called at the Supreme Court on January 24, 2011, for arraignment.

It is understood that he first appeared at the criminal courts in the lower court on Friday, December 3. His case was then referred to the Preliminary Inquiry Court on Tuesday, December 7 before presiding Magistrate Pita Soakimi.

The defendant is a re-elected Ha'apai Nobles' Representative to the Tonga Legislative Assembly, and one of the 26 members who will decide who will be Tonga's new Prime Minister before Christmas.

Meanwhile, another Tongan noble, the former Speaker, Tu'ilakepa was also charged with firearms offences and a drug offence this week in an unrelated case.