One of the oil companies embroiled in the Enemalta oil buying scandal yesterday protested against the corporation’s decision to ban it from tendering from oil contracts, describing the move as “abusive and illegal”.

In a judicial protest, French oil giant Total warned Enemalta it was holding it responsible for any damages, especially after ­its decision was made public.

The decision, which also involves Dutch oil company Trafigura, was revealed by The Times in February.

In light of the scandal, which rocked the corporation, Enemalta’s fuel procurement committee cancelled the latest fuel tenders and temporarily excluded Trafigura and Total from bidding in view of their alleged involvement in the scandal.

The allegations eventually led to Enemalta’s former chairman, Tancred Tabone, and his one-time adviser Frank Sammut being charged with trading in influence, corruption and money laundering over ­taking commissions.

Three other corporation officials – Alfred Mallia, former head of Enemalta’s petroleum division, former financial controller Tarcisio Mifsud and the former project officer Ray Ferris – were also charged over their alleged involvement.

The original story cast a spotlight on alleged kickbacks paid on contracts gone to Trafigura. However, as the investigations progressed and reached the courts, information surfaced on the alleged gifts and bribes paid by Total’s local agent George Farrugia to win tenders for the French oil giant.

The company was informed by Enemalta, in a letter dated February 20, that with immediate effect the corporation would not invite, nor consider it for any further calls for tenders.

Through its lawyer Stefano Filletti, Total yesterday pointed out that it was one of the world’s leading oil product supply companies and that it had been awarded contracts on many occasions after it gave the most advantageous offers following a call for tenders.

The company said it replied to the letter, declaring that it was in no way involved in, or aware of, any wrongdoing on any contract and that to date no charge had been issued against it.

Total said it strongly believes and affirms that the decision taken to bar it from offering tenders “is discriminatory, abusive and illegal”.

It said the fact that Enemalta also issued a public statement about the matter was highly damaging for the company’s image and reputation.

The company said it was holding the corporation responsible for any damages and asked Enemalta to withdraw the ban within 24 hours, reserving the right to take further legal action.

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