Lawyer Norman George is seeking to appeal Prime Minister Mark Brown and former PM Henry Puna’s previously dismissed case in the High Court at Avarua.

Chief Justice Sir Hugh Williams QC in March this year dismissed charges levelled against Brown and Puna, who is now the Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General.

On March 19, the two were acquitted of all charges of fraud and improper payment of public money in relation to charter flights to Penrhyn and Pukapuka in 2018.

George represented Paul Allsworth of Citizens Against Corruption in the appeal hearing yesterday. Brown and Puna were represented by Kieran Raftery QC alongside lawyers Tim Arnold for Brown and Ben Marshall for Puna.

Raftery appeared on telecommunications app Zoom, with Chief Justice Sir Hugh Williams QC who oversaw the court.

A reserved decision for the appeal is to be made by Judge Williams. The date of the decision is to be set by court staff.

George made the application to appeal the case in early July.

Man pleads guilty to indecent assault

Kelepi Ranadi is convicted of indecent assault after changing his plea from not guilty to guilty in the High Court at Avarua on Monday.

Ranadi initially pleaded not guilty to the charge on December 17 last year but pleaded guilty yesterday through his lawyer, Lavi Rokoika.

The court heard Ranadi had assaulted another male by touching his genitals on December 7, 2020.

Chief Justice Sir Hugh Williams QC who appeared via Zoom said Ranadi was convicted of the charge and his bail conditions were to continue.

A date for sentencing is yet to be set but Judge Williams said it will be around a month away and could be on Zoom.

Stabbing accused asks for a judge-alone trial

William Wade charged with assault with intent to injure asked for a judge alone trial in the High Court at Avarua on Monday.

Represented by defence lawyer Michelle Tangimama, Wade, who previously entered a not guilty plea to a stabbing incident, originally opted for a judge and jury trial and will now have a judge alone trial.

Crown lawyer, Annabel Maxwell-Scott said the Crown had around 17 witnesses but could narrow it down.

Maxwell-Scott said the trial could be done in two days. Chief Justice Sir Hugh Williams QC said the trial may be heard on Zoom.