Oil trading scandal: Farrugia brothers' defence requests court re-hear all evidence

Lawyers for the Farrugia brothers, accused of complicity in the bribery of state officials to secure oil contracts from Enemalta, have asked a court to re-hear all the witnesses because of a change in magistrate.

Antonio Farrugia, 68, Gaetano Farrugia, 65, Raymond Farrugia, 62, Emmanuel Farrugia, 59, and Salvatore Farrugia, 60, are pleading not guilty to charges relating to having had knowledge of bribery of state officials.

It is alleged are that they had been aware that their brother George had been bribing state officials to secure oil contracts from Enemalta for Powerplan Ltd, the family business he once managed.

The compilation of evidence had reached an advanced stage before the appointment of presiding magistrate Miriam Hayman, as a judge. The case was subsequently allocated to Magistrate Neville Camilleri.

Aside from a possible prison sentence for the bribery charge, the brothers may additionally be fined up to €500,000 for the breaching of financial regulations.

Before today’s sitting, George Farrugia, Inspector Jonathan Ferris, former Inspector Angelo Gafa, representatives from Bank of Valletta, Transport Malta, Lombard Banks and the MFSA had all testified.

Prosecuting Inspector Jonathan Ferris had exempted the court, newly presided, from having to hear all the evidence once again, but defence lawyer David Farrugia Sacco did not. Magistrate Camilleri requested the defence to present an explanatory note, giving the reasons behind its request by the next sitting, which will be held on 25 November.

In the light of this development, the court also ordered the prosecution to temporarily refrain from summoning further witnesses.