A court heard yesterday how a heated argument between two business partners about money led to a shooting in which one of the men died.

Police Inspector Daniel Zammit testified that Martin Scicluna and his business partner Spiridione Mercieca argued after the latter accused his partner of misappropriating company funds.

Mr Zammit was testifying before Magistrate Miriam Hayman in the compilation of evidence against Mr Mercieca, 46, of Birkirkara, who is pleading not guilty to the murder of Mr Scicluna on September 16, to illegally carrying a firearm and to shooting in an inhabited place.

Mr Scicluna, 43, of Żabbar, died on the spot after being shot twice in a building in Qormi from where he and Mr Mercieca ran the company All Sports International.

Inspector Zammit explained that Mr Mercieca had told him that ever since Mr Scicluna had been having an extra-marital affair, he seemed to be nervous. The accused had said that problems started about nine months ago when creditors approached him asking for money. "I suspected that Martin was not paying creditors. I was giving him cash but he was not paying them" the witness quoted Mr Mercieca as telling the police.

Norbert Pace, who was in the office at the time of the shooting, told Inspector Zammit that he had heard Mr Scicluna shouting at Mr Mercieca saying: "Inti hawnhekk daqshekk" (you are finished here). He told the police that he also heard Mr Scicluna telling Mr Mercieca to get his things and get out and the accused replying that "that is not how we reason things out".

The inspector added that according to the eyewitness, after the argument Mr Mercieca left the premises only to return a few minutes later carrying a shotgun and fired two shots at Mr Scicluna.

The office maid, Carmen Milivanovic, corroborated this version of events, the inspector said, as she was standing at the front door and had seen Mr Mercieca leave and get his gun.

Inspector Zammit said Mr Mercieca had told him that the reason he had been carrying a shotgun was because he is an avid hunter and that it was the hunting season.

The witness said Mr Scicluna had suffered serious injuries to the head and a bad wound to the left shoulder.

The case continues.

Police Inspectors Chris Pullicino, Daniel Zammit and Malcolm Bondin prosecuted.

Lawyers Joseph Giglio and Beppe Fenech Adami appeared for Mr Mercieca.

Lawyers Gavin Gulia and Tonio Azzopardi appeared in parte civile.