Senior lawyer and former parliament member Tanya Waqanika has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for allegedly expressing public opposition to a political party. Waqanika appeared before senior magistrate Sufia Hamza this afternoon and was granted bail, with her legal representation coming from lawyer Barbara Malimali.
The charges against Waqanika stem from a violation of Section 14(7) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, in conjunction with Section 14(1)(d). The incident in question occurred on or around April 19, 2024, in Suva, where Waqanika, serving as a board member for both Investment Fiji and Telecom Fiji Limited, allegedly posted comments opposing the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) on her Facebook page.
As part of her bail conditions, Waqanika has been instructed not to commit further offenses and to report to the FICAC monthly. She has provided two sureties with a non-cash bail bond set at $2,500. The case has been adjourned and is scheduled to be heard again on January 26 of the following year.
This situation highlights the ongoing scrutiny of public officials in relation to political conduct and freedom of expression, underscoring the delicate balance between personal opinions and public office responsibilities.
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