FICAC has submitted an amended charge against lawyer Tanya Waqanika in a legal proceeding this morning. Ms. Waqanika appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad at the Suva Magistrate’s Court, where she faced accusations of publicly expressing opposition to a political party. This allegation is based on the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, specifically section 14 (7) in conjunction with section 14 (1) (d).
The allegations state that on April 19 of the previous year, Ms. Waqanika, who holds positions as a board member for Investment Fiji and Telecom Fiji Ltd, made opposing comments about the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) on her Facebook page, which constitutes a violation of the law aimed at public officials.
The recent amendment to the charge was focused solely on correcting the spelling of Ms. Waqanika’s name. During the court appearance, Rusiate Doidoi represented the prosecution, while Barbara Malimali was present for the defense. Ms. Waqanika’s bail conditions were extended following the hearing.
This case underscores the importance of compliance with political conduct regulations for public officials and highlights the ongoing scrutiny of political discourse in Fiji. As it progresses, it will be essential to observe how the legal system navigates the intersection of free speech and political expression.