Accused... George Farrugia. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The case against two businessmen charged in connection with the oil procurement scandal had nothing to do with illegal commissions on the purchase of oil, a court heard yesterday.

Cassar Ship Repair chairman Tony Cassar, and Francis Portelli, of Virtú Ferries, stand charged with bribery, taking a private interest in an adjudication process and money laundering.

According to the prosecution, the men were aware of the conflict of interest both Tancred Tabone, former chairman of Enemalta and State-owned bunkering company MOBC, and the former CEO, Frank Sammut, had when they hid their shares in IBOL, a company they were partners in, and bid for tenders from Enemalta.

The story of illegal commissions broke in Maltatoday and its editor, Saviour Balzan, testified yesterday that his own investigation into the matter had shown that two men, George Farrugia, a rogue trader, and Mr Sammut, accepted illegal commissions.

He said that the case against Mr Cassar and Mr Portelli had nothing to do with the oil procurement scandal and there was an ocean of difference between the purchase of oil and the bunkering of the same commodity.

Mr Balzan said he had made it very clear that the information about the illegal commissions had been in the possession of the authorities since 2011 but no action was taken.

In the third week of January, he added, when they spoke to Mr Cassar and Mr Portelli, he had told the police they were barking up the wrong tree.

“The rat in the pack was George Farrugia...and Frank Sammut,” Mr Balzan said.

The case continues.