Suva lawyer and public board member Tanya Waqanika has formally denied a criminal charge laid by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), after appearing in the Suva Magistrates’ Court on allegations she publicly indicated opposition to the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).
Waqanika faced Magistrate Yogesh Prasad on a single count under section 14(7), read with section 14(1)(d), of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013. FICAC alleges that on April 19, 2024, Waqanika — identified in court documents as a public official by virtue of her positions as a board member of Investment Fiji and Telecom Fiji Ltd — posted comments on her Facebook account that publicly opposed SODELPA.
During yesterday’s brief hearing Waqanika entered a denial to the charge. Her bail was extended by the court and the matter was adjourned for further mention to May 27. No further particulars of bail conditions or the content of the alleged Facebook post were provided in court on the day.
The Political Parties Act contains provisions intended to limit certain political activities by public officials and officeholders, including restrictions on publicly indicating support for or opposition to registered political parties. FICAC’s prosecution of this alleged breach follows the commission’s established role in investigating and charging alleged misconduct by public servants and officials under statutes that govern political activity and corruption.
Waqanika is a practising lawyer who has held visible roles on government-linked boards. The charge brings into focus the legal boundaries between personal political expression on social media and statutory restrictions that apply to those holding public appointments. Court filings state the alleged offending conduct occurred on a social media platform, reflecting a pattern of recent prosecutions elsewhere in the region that hinge on online remarks by people in public positions.
The case will return to Suva Magistrates’ Court on May 27, when the prosecution and defence are expected to address pre-trial steps and any evidentiary matters. If the matter proceeds to a contested hearing, court proceedings will further determine whether the alleged Facebook comments constitute a breach of the Political Parties Act as charged.
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