24 Oct 2018

Two more charged over Tonga's Lavulavu fraud case

4:08 pm on 24 October 2018

Two more people have been charged in the fraud case against a former Tongan minister of Internal Affairs 'Akosita Lavulavu, and her husband, also a former cabinet minister, 'Etuate Lavulavu.

Tonga MP Akosita Havili Lavulavu in Wellington for a mentoring programme by the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Pacific Region.

'Akosita Lavulavu Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox

The Magistrate's Court office said on Tuesday that the two accused, who are yet to be named, were charged together with the former ministers.

The two and 'Akosita Lavulavu will next appear in court on Friday.

Matangi Tonga reported that 'Etuate Lavulavu's case is adjourned until 3 December.

The Lavulavu couple is charged with knowingly dealing with forged documents and obtaining credit by false pretences, after irregularities in an audit of the 'Unuaki 'o Tonga Royal Institute in 2016.

'Akosita Lavulavu, who remains in parliament, was sacked from her ministerial position by the Prime Minister due to the criminal charges.

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