Update 3 | Former Enemalta officials charged with corruption

A former chief financial officer of Enemalta, Tarcisio Mifsud, and Alfred Mallia, a former member of Enemalta's oil procurement committee, were charged with corruption, allegedly committed during their time at the state utility before 2004, in the court of Magistrate Miriam Hayman after spending the night at the police headquarters' lock-up cells.

Mallia, 68 of Qormi (pictured) appeared frail as he entered the courtroom aided by a walking stick. A former independent mayor of Qormi (1996-1997), Mallia's defence counsel said his client suffered from acute diabetes and asked the court to be considerate in granting him bail. "My client had an important role at Enemalta, but ultimately he was just an employee and no big shot. His criminal record is immaculate, and it's the first time he is being accused in a court of law," he said.

Police Superintendent Paul Vassallo and Inspector Angelo Gafà opposed bail on the basis of the "seriousness" of the charges.

"We are talking about commissions, but we don't have money laundering in this case," Gafà told the Court, adding that the prosecution was aware of Mallia's state of health and his general condition. He stressed that if the Court grants bail, it should be significant and reflect the gravity of the charges.

Magistrate Hayman granted Mallia bail against a deposit of €5,000 and a personal guarantee of €30,000, warning however that unless he places the deposit today, he will not be allowed to go home, but be immediately remanded into custody.

The court has also ordered the immediate freeze of all Mallia's assets, and ordered that it be published in the Government Gazette.

During investigations, Mallia was said to have cooperated with the Police and released two statements.

Ex-CFO charged

Similar charges were also filed against the former financial officer at Enemalta, Tarcisio Mifsud, 68 of Zebbug, who pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecuting officers strongly objected to bail, saying Mifsud had not been cooperative, and as being implicated by State's evidence George Farrugia, and even Alfred Mallia, in corruption. "When we held two confrontations between Mifsud and Farrugia, and also with Alfred Mallia, the accused was hostile and intimidated when he threatened both Farrugia and Mallia with legal action," Gafà told the court, adding that the prosecution was fearing Mifsud may tamper with evidence.

Defence lawyer Stefano Filletti, who is appearing for Mifsud together with lawyers Anna Mallia and Edward Gatt, stressed with the court that his client was not being hostile during interrogation, but "protesting his innocence".

According to Inspector Gafà, Mifsud described Alfred Mallia as "too good a person... everybody would take advantage of him," a remark - he said - that was indicative of the accused character.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman granted Tarcisio Mifsud bail against a €5,000 deposit and €30,000 personal guarantee.

Others charged

Mallia and Mifsud are the fifth and sixth persons to face corruption charges, since MaltaToday revealed the commissions-for-oil scandal on 27 January.

Former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone, 60 of Sliema, and Frank Mifsud 62 of M'Xlokk, the former MOBC chief executive and one time Enemalta consultant were charged with corruption. Tradining in influence and money laundering.

Police also charged businessmen Francis Portelli, 60 of Ta' Xbiex, a director at Virtù Ferries, and Anthony Cassar, 62 of Tarxien, chairman of Cassar Shipyards Limited, were also charged with corrupting Tabone and Sammut, by deliberately concealing the latter's shareholding inside MOBC's competitor Island Bunker Oils Limited (IBOL).

Meanwhile Police are said to be interrogating more people in connection with the scandal, and further arraignments are expected in the coming days.