Tanya Waqanika charged by FICAC and appears in court

Prominent lawyer Tanya Waqanika has been charged by FICAC in relation to a Facebook post on April 19th last year.

She appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza this afternoon.

The charge is brought under Section 14(7) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013.

Waqanika is charged by FICAC for allegedly breaching Section 14 of the Political Parties Act.

It is alleged that on or about 19 April 2024, while serving as a public officer, namely a Board Member of Investment Fiji and Telecom Fiji Limited, Waqanika publicly indicated opposition to the political party SODELPA. 

FICAC Counsel Joseph Work informed the court that first phase disclosures have been served and sought 7 days to prepare and file the second phase disclosures.

Waqanika's lawyer, Barbara Malimali acknowledged receipt of the first phase disclosures and informed the court that they will be filing an application for stay proceedings in the High Court.

Resident Magistrate Hamza granted Waqanika a non-cash bail bond of $2,500 for each of her two sureties.

She has been ordered to report to the FICAC Office in Suva at the end of each month, not to reoffend, not to change her residential address and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

Waqanika is a former SODELPA MP and is also the lawyer for former FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali in the case challenging the Commission of Inquiry report into the appointment of Malimali as FICAC Commissioner.

The matter has been adjourned to the 26th of January next year.