Lord Tu'ivakano

Lord Tu'ivakano was in April handed a two year suspended sentence after he was found guilty of making a false statement so that two Chinese nationals could get a passport.

He was also convicted of possessing a firearm and ammunition without a licence.

Our correspondent, Kalafi Moala, said the former prime minister claims to have substantial new information.

"They're challenging that because they [claim to have] other new evidence or new witnesses that basically providing information that is contrary to what was presented at the case."

Matangi Tonga reported Lord Tu'ivakano received the suspended sentence on Friday for the charges relating to the issuance of Tongan passports to Chinese nationals and was fined more than $US1,700 for possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license.

Last month, Tu'ivakano was found him guilty of making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport, perjury and possession of ammunition without a licence.

He had already pled guilty to a fourth count of possession of a gun without a licence.

Matangi Tonga reports the trial ended in the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon.

The passport offences occurred in 2015.

Lord Chief Justice Whitten will sentence Tu'i'vakano in April on three counts of making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport, perjury and possession of ammunition without a licence.

Tu'i'vakano will also be sentenced on a fourth count of possession of a gun without a licence, which he had already pled guilty to last week.

Matangi Tonga reports that he changed his plea from not guilty when it was revealed during his evidence that at time police executed a search of his home in March, he had no licence for the .22 rifle.

His counsel had intially submitted the accused had a licence to the firearm.

However, the accused explained he had a licence which expired and he had directed his Parliamentary driver, while he was House Speaker, to renew it.

Tu'ivakano then left for New Zealand and returned later with the belief his licence was renewed.

He had 15 charges including bribery, money laundering, perjury and firearms offences.

Lord Tu'ivakano, who was prime minister from 2010 to 2014, has denied the charges and had sought to have them thrown out ahead of a trial.

But Chief Justice Michael Whitten ruled there was sufficient evidence to commit him to trial for all but one of the charges.

One of the seven counts of bribery was thrown out.

The former Speaker and Prime Minster appeared in court last month and is expected to reappear in court on June 25.

Reports said the noble’s legal counsel was not in Tonga when he was due to appear at a Magistrate Court.

In a separate court case, MP ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband former government minister and MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu had their case adjourned for the third time to June 25.

Kaniva News reportd the Lavulavus appeared at the Fasi Lower Court on May 28.

Kaniva Pacific reported he was also expected to face additional counts relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm.

Tu'ivakano appeared at the Fasi Magistrate court this week and is to reappear on 26 April.

Crown prosecutor 'Aminasi Kefu asked for the delay so police could prepare additional information.

According to Radio Tonga News, the charges were read during Monday’s Parliament sitting,

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Lord Tu'ivakano referred the impeachment case to a House Sub-Committee to deliberate on the allegations before it’s brought back to the House.

Lavulavu has denied all the allegations which includes not following the policy and regulations of Parliament, mismanagement of government properties and for taking actions that can challenge relations between Tonga and other countries.

As a result, Lord Tu'ivakano adjourned Parliament because of a lack of quorum. Only 12 Members of Parliament were present in Chambers.

Lord Tu'ivakano said a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister saying that Cabinet members will be ready to attend today's Parliament session. This morning, a second letter was received saying, all Cabinet ministers will not be present in Parliament until August 13. 

Lord Tu'ivakano said the Royal Agricultural Show only required the presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food.