Former police chief Peter Paul Zammit insisted this afternoon that he was representing himself this morning when he showed up in a court hearing involving the man against whom he had ordered that charges be dropped.

Eyebrows were raised in court when the former commissioner raised several questions during the case against Josmar Agius over an incident at the Zabbar police station in 2013.

It was revealed in Parliament earlier this week that Mr Zammit, when serving as police commissioner, had ordered that the case be dropped and no charges be issued. It resulted that Mr Agius was Mr Zammit's client when he served as legal procurator before becoming police commissioner. 

Mr Zammit told Times of Malta this afternoon that he was not in court to defend Mr Agius, but as an interested party. This was verified independently with the acts of the case, where he is listed as parte civile lawyer.

In court, he asked a series of questions to prosecuting officer Robert Said Sarreo.

Inspector Said Sarreo said he had received instructions from his superiors but Mr Zammit was not happy with that reply and demanded names.

He even asked whether the instructions were part of the police file in which there were his instructions not to proceed with the case.

It was revealed in Parliament earlier this week how Mr Zammit had ordered that the case be dropped and no charges be issued. It resulted that Mr Agius was Mr Zammit's client before he became commissioner.

Mr Agius was charged with threatening police officers and impeding them from carrying out their duties.

Mr Zammit said he intended to ask that the police file be exhibited in court to establish who ordered that charges be issued.

Drs Joe Sammut  and Jacquiline Farrugia were defence counsel.

The case was put off to July.