Suva attorney Tanya Waqanika is preparing to contest charges filed against her by the Fijian Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) at the High Court in Suva. Her attorney, Barbara Malimali, confirmed this during Waqanika’s initial appearance before Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza.
The allegations against Ms. Waqanika, who serves as a board member for Investment Fiji and Telecom Fiji Ltd, involve her purported public opposition to a political party, which FICAC claims breaches section 14 (7) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 alongside section 14 (1) (d). This charge arises from comments she made on her Facebook page on April 19 last year, where she expressed dissent regarding the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).
In court, Ms. Malimali disclosed plans to submit a stay application concerning the legal proceedings. Following her court appearance, Ms. Waqanika was released on standard bail conditions, with prosecutor Joseph Works stating that FICAC had no intention of seeking a stop-departure order against her.
The case has been adjourned and is set to continue on January 26 of next year. This legal matter underscores the ongoing complexities of Fiji’s political environment while raising significant concerns about the parameters of free speech for public officials. As developments unfold, it will be crucial to monitor their implications for political dialogue within the nation.