Two former staff of Fiji Forest Industries appeared in the Labasa Magistrates court today.

Former Sales and Marketing Officers Manwar Buksh and Salend Chetty were each charged with one count of abuse of office obtaining a financial advantage and corrupt transactions with agents.

It is alleged that the two men operated a private business, Tropex Marketing, from within the Fiji Forest Industries premises and diverting commercial business to their private business.

It is also alleged that they informed potential Fiji Forest Industries customers that there were no timber stocks so that the customers would purchase it from their side business at inflated prices allowing the duo to obtain $119, 542 between October 2014 and June 2016.

It is also alleged the two used the “Show Cause” notice to falsely state that neither of them was operating a side business from within Fiji Forest Industries.

The two have been released on bail and a stop departure order has been issued.

They were also instructed to surrender their passports and report to the Labasa Police Station every Saturday.

The matter has been adjourned to 29th July.