Supreme Court yet to receive an appeal by the Speaker of the House
(Nuku’alofa, Tuesday, 17/07/2012)
The Supreme Court has yet to receive an appeal from the Speaker of the
House, Lord Lasike for illegal possession of 2 point 22 ammunitions.
However, the office of the attorney general has confirmed submitting a
legal advice to the Prime Minister in regards to the speaker's legal
situation.
The advice was based on the fact that Lord Lasike was convicted in the
supreme court and fined for 500 Pa'anga.
Last week he told the Media that he would make an appeal.
Meanwhile, the Courts have confirmed that they have not received an appeal
from Lord Lasike and his lawyer.
In clause 23 of the constitution, it states that no civil servant or
member of parliament convicted of a criminal offence shall hold office
under the government or shall be qualified to vote for nor to be elected a
representative of the Legislative Assembly, unless he has received from
the king a pardon together with a declaration that he is free from this
clause.
The land Act also states if a noble has been convicted in the supreme
court he can be stripped of his title along with his estate.
With this, the Office of the Attorney General clarified that its role is
to give legal advice but for any official announcement of the matter this
will have to come from Parliament or the Prime Minister himself.
The Court of Appeal circuit takes place twice a year with the next circuit
from September to October.
© Radio & TV Tonga News, TBC 2012.
House, Lord Lasike for illegal possession of 2 point 22 ammunitions.
However, the office of the attorney general has confirmed submitting a
legal advice to the Prime Minister in regards to the speaker's legal
situation.
The advice was based on the fact that Lord Lasike was convicted in the
supreme court and fined for 500 Pa'anga.
Last week he told the Media that he would make an appeal.
Meanwhile, the Courts have confirmed that they have not received an appeal
from Lord Lasike and his lawyer.
In clause 23 of the constitution, it states that no civil servant or
member of parliament convicted of a criminal offence shall hold office
under the government or shall be qualified to vote for nor to be elected a
representative of the Legislative Assembly, unless he has received from
the king a pardon together with a declaration that he is free from this
clause.
The land Act also states if a noble has been convicted in the supreme
court he can be stripped of his title along with his estate.
With this, the Office of the Attorney General clarified that its role is
to give legal advice but for any official announcement of the matter this
will have to come from Parliament or the Prime Minister himself.
The Court of Appeal circuit takes place twice a year with the next circuit
from September to October.
© Radio & TV Tonga News, TBC 2012.