Benjamin Wainiqolo Padarath appeared in court today, where he was granted bail under strict conditions relating to an alleged social media offense. As part of the bail agreement, Padarath is prohibited from using any form of social media, whether through his real name or any pseudonym.
The court also established that any online activity linked to his IP address would result in his immediate detention. Furthermore, he has been ordered to surrender his travel documents, with a stop-departure order now in effect.
The next hearing for this case has been scheduled for 18 February 2026. According to Fiji Police, Padarath stands accused of disseminating an altered newspaper article via social media, which allegedly contained false and misleading information about two notable individuals, presumed to be political figures.
This investigation falls under Section 24 of the Online Safety Act 2018, which focuses on harmful electronic communications. This case underscores the growing concerns surrounding the spread of misinformation on social media platforms, highlighting the serious legal consequences that may follow such behavior. With increasing scrutiny on digital communication, it serves as a reminder of the responsibilities individuals have when sharing information online.