A former Divisional Planning Officer in the Commissioner Northerns Office and a Businessman appeared in the Labasa Magistrates court late yesterday afternoon facing various corruption related charges.

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Spokesperson, Maraia Vavaitamana confirms Semi Matalau who worked in the Commissioner Northens office was charged with abuse of office, obtaining money by false pretence, aiding and abetting by civil servant.

Businessman, Jai Suren was charged with forgery and obtaining money by false pretence.

It is alleged Suren's company was awarded the Soroni farm upgrading project but the project was not completed.

Matalau is alleged to have approved a transfer of $25,000 to the company even though the project was not completed.

Magistrate Anare Tuilevuka granted the two bail with $1000 assurity.

The two have been told to surrender all travel documents, not to interfere with the witnesses and report to FICAC office every fortnight.