Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544529
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 APRIL 2026 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt SUBMISSIONS on punish- ment were heard in the co- caine trafficking case where the accused, Gordian Azuogu Ohaegbu, was found guilty on all three drug trafficking charg- es by a 7–2 majority in a case involving nearly two kilograms of cocaine. Following a five-day trial, the accused was found guilty of all three charges. As the verdict was delivered in court, Ohaeg- bu broke down in tears, pro- testing his innocence. The prosecution urged the court to keep in mind the find- ing of guilt across all three charges and to align the pun- ishment with that already im- posed on the co-accused. It recalled that two of the co-accused, who had admitted to the charges rather than pro- ceeding to trial, were handed prison terms of nine years. In the case of Darren Aqui- lina, the prosecution noted a sentence of nine years' im- prisonment accompanied by a €23,500 fine, while another co-accused received a 10-year term and a €35,000 fine. Against this backdrop, the prosecution argued that the punishment in the present case should revolve around similar parameters, while also taking into account the lapse of time since the commission of the offence. It emphasised that al- though one of the accused opt- ed to contest the charges and was convicted by a jury, the overall framework of punish- ment should remain consistent with that of the co-accused. The defence, however, strong- ly pushed back against any dis- tinction based on the decision to go to trial. Counsel argued that an accused person should not face a harsher punishment simply for exercising their right to contest the charges, insisting that the case had been defend- ed on the genuine belief of in- nocence. While acknowledging the jury's verdict was decided and must now be respected, the defence maintained that the proceedings were, in its view, ones that "should have led to an acquittal". A central pillar of the de- fence's argument was the seri- ous delay in proceedings. The court heard that the accused had spent approximately 20 years awaiting the conclusion of the case, a delay which the defence stressed was not attrib- utable to the accused. It criticised the attorney gen- eral for failing to adequately address these delays, arguing that it would be unjust for the accused to effectively spend most of the rest of his life in prison after such a prolonged process. The defence also pointed to the accused's clean police conduct and long-standing residence in Malta, spanning some 30 years, distinguishing his situation from others typi- cally involved in similar cases. It further highlighted that the quantity of drugs involved, de- scribed as "a kilo and a bit" and not a fully pure substance, did not place the case among the most serious category of drug offences. While conceding that the case is serious, the defence argued it is "not a heinous case," and urged the court to temper pun- ishment accordingly. It insisted that the accused should not be placed at a disadvantage com- pared to the co-accused who admitted the charges, nor be penalised for delays beyond his control. The court will deliver its de- cision on punishment on 29 April. The prosecution was led by AG lawyers Kevin Valletta and Dejan Darmanin, together with Inspector Alfredo Man- gion. The accused was repre- sented by lawyers Edward Gatt and Veronique Dalli. The case was heard before Judge Nata- sha Galea Sciberras. Court hears punishment submissions in cocaine trafficking case JULIA DOWLING jdowling@mediatoday.com.mt Padel courts at Manoel Island risk undermining government's national park pledge: Graffitti ENVIRONMENTAL NGO Moviment Graffitti has warned that government's pledge to turn Manoel Island into a national park is being undermined by an application seeking to sanction illegal development on the site. The group said the area has been promised as a national park following the Manoel Is- land: Post Għalina campaign and a parliamentary petition backed by nearly 30,000 res- idents and several organisa- tions. The vision, it added, was meant to be implemented through a holistic, communi- ty-led process supported by ongoing public consultation. However, Graffitti said this process is now being jeopard- ised by planning application PA/07995/25, submitted by Sharlon Pace, which proposes the sanctioning of padel courts that were already built illegally on the island. The NGO noted Robert Ab- ela has stated that the land in question forms part of the orig- inal emphyteusis agreement governing Manoel Island. It said Pace's claims to the con- trary directly contradict the government's position. According to Graffitti, the il- legal works only came to light following public backlash. In- stead of being reversed, the case has progressed to a stage where the development is now being considered for sanction- ing. "What should have been a normal application process has already been compromised by the acceptance of illegal devel- opment as a starting point," the group said, questioning wheth- er the works will ultimately be legitimised at the expense of the promised national park. Graffitti also raised concerns about whether the interests of the Gżira community are be- ing upheld. It pointed out that residents had originally been promised a football pitch as part of the 2000 MIDI emphy- teusis agreement, rather than what it described as a piece- meal expansion of private fa- cilities. The NGO urged residents to reflect on whether such deci- sions reflect the needs of the community. It called on the public to sub- mit representations on the application by 4 May via rep- resentations@pa.org.mt, quot- ing PA/07995/25. Graffitti also appealed to the Planning Authority and the government to enforce the law and reverse the works, warning that sanctioning them would set a damaging precedent for the future of Manoel Island until a proper, community-led masterplan is established. The padel courts Sharlon Pace seeks to regularise (Photo: Manoel Island Post Ghalina)