Foreigner says he paid $400 to be taken to Sicily

A Nigerian man yesterday told a court how he paid a Mosta man $400 to take him to Sicily by boat clandestinely.

Chucks Moses Morgwu recounted how he had negotiated his trip with a certain Mario, whom he yesterday identified as John Muscat. "From what he told me I knew the trip wasn't legal because, had it been, I could have gone to Sicily the way I came to Malta, by plane," he said.

Morgwu testified before Magistrate Antonio Mizzi in the compilation of evidence against Muscat, 59, Ferhat Guellouma, 51, of Algeria, Mahmoud Abdalla Farag, 34, of Egypt, Omar Arab Deiaeddin, 36, of Libya, and Mohammed Ibrahim Gohar, 41, of unknown nationality.

They are pleading not guilty to conspiring to aid and abet immigrants to travel from Malta to Sicily clandestinely on the night between June 28 and 29.

Morgwu said he came to Malta on March 21 for an educational seminar and had a visa valid for eight days. While he was here, he realised that Malta had good medical facilities and decided to take advantage of the facilities to treat a leg fracture.

He applied for a visa extension on medical grounds and it was granted. When that expired, he applied again but this time his application was rejected. But, despite this, he remained in Malta.

Morgwu explained he met Muscat through a Nigerian friend called Michael. He had been running out of cash and a Sicilian friend offered to help him out if he went to Sicily.

So he started negotiating his trip with Muscat who offered to take him to Sicily by boat for $600. Morgwu said he only had $400 and Muscat accepted to take him anyway.

On June 28, Muscat called to pick up Morgwu from his Bugibba residence. Meanwhile, Morgwu's Nigerian room mate, a certain Robert, found out about the trip to Sicily and paid Muscat $500.

Morgwu said Muscat picked Robert and himself up from Bugibba in a jeep between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. There were another two men in the vehicle. When they arrived at their destination they met other foreigners.

Muscat demanded payment and told them to wait for him until he returned. But four hours later they were still waiting.

At about 2 a.m. the police arrived on site. Morgwu said everyone started running away but he could not run because of his fractured leg.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Neville Xuereb is prosecuting.

Dr Michael Sciriha and Dr Joanne Vella Cuschieri are appearing for Muscat, Farag and Gohar, Dr Ruth Scott is appearing for Guellouma and Dr Leo Bencini is appearing for Deiaeddin.