Suva lawyer Barbara Malimali is set to challenge a charge against her client, Tanya Waqanika, in the High Court following Waqanika’s appearance at the Suva Magistrates Court. Waqanika is facing allegations of publicly opposing a political party for comments purportedly made on her Facebook page regarding the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) on April 19, 2022.
Waqanika’s position as a board member of both Investment Fiji and Telecom Fiji has placed her statements under significant legal scrutiny. During the court session, representatives from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) indicated that they have finalized the first phase of disclosures but require additional time to serve the second phase.
Granted release on a bail bond of $2,500, Waqanika has two sureties supporting her. The court has imposed conditions, including a prohibition on reoffending and a requirement to maintain her residential address. The case is scheduled for a follow-up hearing on January 26.
Should Waqanika be found guilty, she faces serious consequences, with potential penalties including a fine of up to $10,000, a possible five-year prison term, or both. This ongoing case underscores significant concerns regarding political expression and the legal boundaries of public commentary in Fiji, raising important questions about freedom of speech in the nation’s political landscape.