Former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem is pursuing a civil action against Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro for alleged defamatory statements made on social media, with the matter set to be heard in November.
In his statement of claim, Saneem says that on July 3 last year he shared a post from the Fiji Government’s Facebook page that included a “Statement from the Attorney-General” and carried the caption: “Abuse of office. None of his actions are unlawful. The State should be a model litigant. Those appointments and terminations he purported to do are all unlawful.” Tabuakuro allegedly responded to the post with the comment: “So rich coming from you. Stop spreading lies, you unethical lawyer. The Supreme Court told you it will not rule on this issue, so there is no issue with your criminal charges.” Saneem contends that the comments damaged his credit, character and reputation and brought him into scandal, odium and contempt.
As part of the civil action, Saneem seeks an injunction to prevent Tabuakuro from further harassing or defaming him on any social media platform. The case was adjourned to November 14 for further proceedings.
This civil action unfolds amid a broader backdrop of ongoing legal battles involving Saneem, including questions over the validity of charges and the appropriate forum for their handling. In this environment, the case highlights ongoing concerns about online conduct by public officials and the mechanisms available to address perceived harms to reputation through social media.
Summary: A civil defamation case linked to social-media comments by a government official’s deputy is moving forward, with a November hearing date and an injunction request aiming to curb further online remarks. The situation underscores the continuing interplay between public accountability, legal processes, and online discourse.
Potential positive angle: The proceedings demonstrate a commitment to due process and the rule of law, showing that claims of defamatory statements by public figures can be tested in court and that remedies such as injunctions are available to protect reputations while legal questions are resolved.
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