Prominent lawyer Tanya Waqanika and her counsel Barbara Malimali have been directed by Suva Magistrate Yogesh Prasad to refrain from commenting publicly on the matter where Waqanika is charged for allegedly breaching the Political Parties Act.
This comes as FICAC lawyer Rusiate Doidoi raised the issue in court that comments by her are misleading.
Doidoi told Magistrate Prasad that Waqanika is a very senior lawyer and had it been a younger lawyer, it would be different.
He asked Magistrate Prasad to warn Waqanika and to restrict her from posting on the case.
Following Malimali's request for details on whether there was an election when Waqanika was charged, Doidoi told the court that her charges do not have to do with the elections, but rather her post as a public officer.
He says it is now an issue for trial.
Doidoi also submitted amended charges.
While responding, Malimali says she and Waqanika were asking Member of Parliament and National Federation Party leader and Professor Biman Prasad, in the court corridors, about an election that happened last year that they were not aware of.
Malimali says their voices had carried.
She says FICAC is being overly sensitive about being called out.
Malimali says who is the real FICAC Commissioner is the issue they are dealing with in High Court cases.
The counsel says right now, they are trading punches and having a 'he said, she said' issue.
Magistrate Prasad says right now, FICAC has a Commissioner and is doing its job.
He says he told Waqanika to refrain from commenting on matters in the court.
The Magistrate says the duty of the court is to only give an evidence-based decision.
He has told the counsel to respect the organisation, do their part, as open discussion may bring disrespect to the organisation.
The matter has been adjourned to 24th March, where Waqanika will take her plea.
According to the amended charges, Waqanika is charged with one count of publicly indicating opposition to a political party.
It is alleged that on or about 19th April 2024 in Suva, Waqanika, while serving as a public officer and board member of Investment Fiji and Telecom Fiji Limited, publicly expressed opposition to SODELPA by posting comments against the party on her Facebook page.
