Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tonga Solicitor General says perjury charge justified despite court loss

Posted at 22:39 on 01 October, 2012 UTC

Tonga’s Solicitor General Aminiasi Kefu says he believes laying a charge of perjury against Law Lord, Ramsay Dalgety, was appropriate and suggestions that it was a malicious prosecution are far fetched.

The perjury charge resulted from comments Lord Dalgety made during the Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika.

But Justice Charles Cato last Friday discharged the case ruling there was insufficient evidence of perjury.

Lawyer, Kahu Barron-Afeaki, says Lord Dalgety is considering suing for malicious prosecution.

But Aminiasi Kefu says he believes the perjury charge was justified.

“It is natural for Mr Afeaki to hold that view - he’s been advocating that during the hearing but Justice Cato did not agree with him. It was one of the grounds he had put forward to stay the proceedings, that it was an abuse of process but the courts in this case clearly did not rule that there was an abuse of process.”

Tonga Solicitor General Aminiasi Kefu.