A Preliminary Inquiry of the current Deputy Speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly Lord Tu'iha'ateiho on one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm without a license is adjourned to October 18, for a new date to be fixed.

Senior Crown Counsel Sione Sisifa said this morning that the one-day Preliminary Inquiry was set for October 2 but was adjourned as the Magistrate's Court is on a two-weeks court vacation to allow counsel to attend the second session of Tonga's Court of Appeal.

A workshop for Court of Appeal judges and a Magistrate's workshop will be held next week.

He said a new date preferably in November would be set in Chambers on October 18.

Lord Tu'iha'ateiho is charged in relation to an semi-automatic pistol that was found by police in possession of an escaped prisoner who claimed it was stolen from Tu'iha'ateiho's home in 2010. He is a Ha'apai Noble's Representative to Parliament.

Tu'ilakepa case

Meanwhile, Lord Tu'ilakepa the current Vava'u Nobles Representative to Parliament and former Speaker, will have his preliminary inquiry on November 27-28 at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court.

He is charged with numerous counts, including conspiracy to the importation of illicit drugs into Tonga and unlawful possession of firearms.

On November 19 a pre-trial conference will be held to confirm the dates for his preliminary inquiry.