The Suva Magistrates Court has directed the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to submit a charge statement for the defense of Tanya Waqanika. This ruling came after Waqanika’s attorney, Barbara Malimali, articulated the necessity of the charge statement for adequately preparing her client’s defense.
In addition, Malimali requested documents from the Fijian Elections Office to determine whether any municipal or general elections occurred in 2024, as this information is pivotal to the case. Waqanika faces allegations related to comments made about a political party during an election year, and clarity on the electoral proceedings is essential for the defense.
FICAC informed the court that it had already provided the defense with most required disclosures, barring two key documents—the charge statement and a witness statement. Prosecutors indicated that the witness is currently out of the country.
Magistrate Prasad mandated that the charge statement be prioritized, assigning FICAC a 14-day period to produce it, along with clarification on any elections that may have taken place in 2024.
Waqanika’s bail has been extended, with the case set to reconvene on the 17th of this month. This development reflects the ongoing efforts in the legal proceedings and the commitment to ensuring a fair trial.
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