Enemalta’s former financial controller yesterday told a court he had first seen rogue oil trader George Farrugia at the police depot when he was called for questioning and had never received any gifts or money from him.

Tarcisio Mifsud insisted that he had received “absolutely nothing”, nor was he on Mr Farrugia’s list of gift recipients.

He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Alfred Mallia, the former head of Enemalta’s petroleum division, who stands accused of corruption in connection with oil purchases.

Mr Farrugia said in a previous court sitting that Mr Mallia had demanded kickbacks, which were then channelled to Mr Mifsud when Mr Mallia had an accident and was confined to a bed.

Mr Mifsud’s lawyer, Edward Gatt, asked his client to react to Mr Farrugia’s claim of going to his office to pay him.

The witness replied: “It’s absolutely not true. He was never in my office. The two doors leading to my office were always left open and employees, including the secretary, would have seen him going in.

“When the time is right, I will tell him who took money and who didn’t. He never gave me any gifts. I wasn’t even on his so-called wine list.”

Mr Mifsud opted to testify even though Magistrate Anthony Vella warned him that, since he had a pending criminal case, anything he said could be used against him in court.

He testified that he joined Enemalta in 1974 and was on the board of the fuel procurement committee from the day it was set up in 1987 to December 2003. Mr Mallia also sat on the committee.

He explained there had been a “preferential agreement” with Libya, whereby Enemalta would purchase its oil and fuel from that country.

The corporation stopped purchasing diesel from Libya when the committee received an order that diesel had to meet higher technical requirements, in line with European standards.

The case continues in December.

Lawyer Kris Balzan appeared for Mr Mallia.