Tongasat

The payments were made to Tongasat after China was found to have placed a satellite in Tonga's orbital space in 2006.

However, in August the Chief Justice deemed the funds Tongasat received was public money and payments were not approved by government.

His judgement ruled the payments made between 2008 and 2011 were "invalid and unlawful" and granted Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva and the Public Service Association legal costs which have yet to be finalised.

The August ruling was made in favour of Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva and the Public Service Association, who are pursuing nearly $US50 million.

The payments were made to Tongasat after China was found to have placed a satellite in Tonga's orbital space in 2006.

Chief Justice Owen Paulsen said the payments were "invalid and unlawful" and granted the plaintiffs legal costs which have yet to be finalised.

Matangi Tonga reports an appeal was filed last Tuesday by Tongasat's legal counsel, William Edwards, to have fresh evidence heard from witnesses.

On Friday, the court found in favour of Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva and Tonga's Public Service Association, in their five year battle against Tongasat.

The case concerns two payments totalling $US49.9 million which China made to Tonga after it was found to have placed a satellite in Tonga's orbital space in 2006.

Despite a revenue sharing agreement between Tonga's government and Tongasat, 93 percent of the funds were transferred to the privately owned company.