court case

'Ahongalu Fushimalohi was appointed chair of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission last month after the former chair, Tapu Panuve was forced to resign, and shortly afterwards Ms Fifita was sacked.

RNZI reports the moves came after the prime minister 'Akilsi Pohiva had expressed concern at what he saw as a lack of support from the TBC, calling them an 'enemy of government'.

Regional media groups were outraged believing the Mr Pohiva was infringing on media independence.

Radio Tonga reports the Vava'u 16 MP lost his seat in a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the decision that he committed bribery and declared his election null and void.

Speaker of Parliament Lord Tuivakano earlier this year announce that a by-election will be held on 26 May, depending on the decision of the Court of Appeal.

Lavulavu's counsel Sifa Tu'utafaiva confirmed he has submitted his client's appeal last Friday.

Tonga Police said the complainant was a 30-year-old woman from Pahu who sought medical assistance from the male practitioner.

Police said the accused sexually assaulted the victim in a gardening allotment.

Lord Chief Justice Owen G. Paulsen said the argument was without merit.

He ordered that the Magistrate’s Court had to “allocate a hearing date as soon as is reasonably possible.”

Mr Justice Paulsen said the argument by the applicants that “the case can be more effectively dealt with in the Supreme Court is not correct.”