Former Enemalta chairman Alex Tranter.

A defence lawyer took exception to the testimony of the current Enemalta chairman who was not even the corporation’s employee at the time of the offences allegedly committed by his predecessor in 2010.

Joe Giglio said it was “useless” asking Frederick Azzopardi questions on company procedures in place in 2010 since he joined the company as chief executive officer in January 2014 and promoted to chairman the following August after having been senior engineer with the civil service for a long number of years.

His comment came after Mr Azzopardi failed to reply to specific questions on Enemalta’s procedures related to travel.

He was cross-examining Mr Azzopardi who testified that when Alex Tranter was chairman he used Enemalta funds to pay for two rooms at the Hilton in London where he was attending the International Petroleum Forum in February 2010, shortly before he left his post.

One room was for him and the other for his personal assistant, Bronia Mercieca, who had booked vacation leave to be able to travel to London.

According to company records, it resulted that two other Enemalta officials also attended the event on behalf of the company, booking rooms at the cheaper Holiday Inn Hotel.

He was testifying in the compilation of evidence against Mr Tranter, who stands accused with misappropriating the corporation’s funds during his term as chairman between 2005 and 2010, particularly during 2007, 2008 and 2010.

The prosecution is alleging that Mr Tranter made personal use of company funds.

Mr Azzopardi’s testimony focused on Mr Tranter’s trip to London during which he used the company Visa card to book two rooms at the Hilton.

He said he attended the 2014 IP Forum, describing it as a “socialising” event which involved a series of cocktail parties, lunches and dinners in which representatives of companies working in the petroleum sector could meet.

Mr Azzopardi said that according to company procedures, which were still applicable today, Enemalta employees travelling for work purposes would have their flights covered by the corporation and would receive a subsistence allowance of €250 per night.

Alternatively, the allowance would go down to €125 if Enemalta were to cover the accommodation.

He noted that Mr Tranter had booked a hotel that was “relatively expensive” in light of the expenses he was entitled to.

Dr Giglio asked specific questions on decisions taken in 2010 related to travel procedures and whether there was any other business event that Mr Tranter attended while in London.

Mr Azzopardi could not answer any, prompting Dr Giglio to express his amazement at how the prosecution had produced a witness who could not shed any light on the alleged offences.

The case continues next month before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli.

Inspectors Jonathan Ferris and Ian Abdilla are prosecuting. Lawyer Lucio Sciriha appeared parte civile for the corporation.