Oil trader says he did not discuss oil prices with IBOL owners

Thirty minutes after having been found in contempt of court, fined €70 and had a warrant issued against him for not turning up for this morning's sitting, state witness George Farrugia walked into the hall of Magistrate Edwina Grima to take the witness stand in the compilation of evidence against Anthony Cassar and Francis Portelli.

Cassar and Portelli, two directors and owners of Island Bunker Oils Ltd, are charged with money laundering and trading in influence. The case is part of the corruption case in the payment of bribes to Enemalta officials for the sale of oil to the energy corporation.

Magistrate Grima revoked both the fine and the warrant after Farrugia said his late arrival was due to the morning traffic.

In his short testimony Farrugia explained that he knew the two entrepreneurs from meetings he had with them regarding oil purchases made by Island Bunker Oils Ltd (IBOL) from the companies he represented, Trafigura and TOTSA. "Although I attended and held meetings with both the accused and Frank Sammut, I never negotiated oil prices but simply accompanied the representatives of my clients," the witness said.

The majority of the meetings were held with Francis Portelli, but also with Frank Sammut when he was the CEO of Enemalta's bunkering arm Mediterranean Oil Bunkering Corporationi. At the time IBOL made use of the storage facilities belonging to MOBC and Sammut was a silent partner in IBOL together with Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone.

Asked by prosecuting officer Jonathan Ferris if he recalls a meeting attended to by Anthony Cassar, Francis Portelli, Frank Sammut and Tancred Tabone, the state witness said such meeting never took place. Furthermore, Farrugia reiterated that he never discussed his IBOL dealings with Tancred Tabone, claiming that the latter was not involved in IBOL.

Magistrate Edwina Grima is presiding. Lawyers Steve Tonna Lowell and Joe Giglio are appearing for the accused.