Former Elections Supervisor says LinkedIn post harmed legal practice

Former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem says a LinkedIn comment made by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro damaged his professional reputation and affected his legal practice.

Saneem gave evidence yesterday before Justice Savenaca Banuve at the High Court in Suva in his civil defamation case against Tabuakuro.

He told the court the comment, which followed his post about the Supreme Court's opinion on former Acting DPP John Rabuku's eligibility for judicial appointment, reached thousands of LinkedIn users, with analytics showing more than 9,000 impressions.

Saneem said the comment was an attack on his character and that Tabuakuro, as a senior prosecutor, had no right to make such statements.

He claimed the comments were unprofessional and affected public confidence in him as a lawyer.

The court heard Tabuakuro accused Saneem of spreading lies, calling him an unethical lawyer and stating that the Supreme Court had not ruled on the matters he raised.

During cross-examination, Saneem confirmed the LinkedIn post remains online and that he continues to operate his law firm.

He is seeking damages and an order for Tabuakuro to apologise and remove the comments.

The Ministry of Policing and National Communications Manager for Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, Savenaca Siwatibau, told the court Tabuakuro cannot delete her post, but Saneem has the ability to delete and block it.

Journalists Mansi Chand of Fijivillage News and Lavenia Lativerata of Mai TV also gave evidence, confirming Saneem was previously charged by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions with receiving a corrupt benefit but was acquitted by Chief Justice Salesi Temo.

The hearing continues today, with Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva, Tabuakuro and Deputy DPP John Rabuku expected to give evidence.