Two former senior Agriculture officials and a businessman this morning pleaded not guilty to amended charges of official corruption and abuse of office.

Former Agriculture officials - Peni Kete, Josefa Kapele and businessman Pita Alifereti - are alleged to have conspired to defraud the Government of over $1M between January 1st 2001 and March 2001.

In court today, Justice Isikeli Mataitoga addressed the 50 witnesses who were summoned to court and warned them of the tight schedule of the case and for them to ensure to be in court at the allocated time.

Witnesses include former CEO at the Prime Minister's office Joji Kotobalavu and former minister in the SDL government, Mareta Rigamoto.

The case will resume tomorrow.