One of the owners of the Valletta property at the heart of the €3.4 million expropriation scandal involving businessman Mark Gaffarena told a court today that they only learnt “by chance” that part of the property, owned by Mr Gaffarena had been expropriated.
David Cefai was testifying before Madam Justice Anna Felice, who is presiding the case instituted earlier this year by the Prime Minister against Mr Gaffarena, for the revocation of this controversial deal.
During examination by Attorney General Peter Grech, Mr Cefai told the court that the property on Old Mint Street whose ownership he shared, had been acquired by his great-grand father in 1899. He said that neither him nor his siblings who own an undivided quarter had ever received any offer from the State for its expropriation.
“We had signed a promise of sale agreement with Mr Gaffarana, which expired on March 26 of this year. However, we were oblivious to the expropriation deal and only learnt about it by chance from the Government Gazette, following the start of these proceedings to annul the deal,” he said.
Mr Cefai added that this deal rendered the promise of sale void - however the judge intervened to say that it was up to the court to decide on such matter.
Lawyers Victoria Buttigieg and Chris Falzon Scerri are also representing the Office of the Attorney General. Lawyer Josianne Azzopardi appeared on behalf of the Commissioner for Lands. Dr Tanya Sciberras Camilleri represented the other property owners.
The case continues in October.