Judge Abigail Lofaro insists there is no grounds for her recusal from the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry and has received the backing of the journalist’s family and two inquiry board who sit beside her.

In a decree this morning, Lofaro said that she only found about her husband’s links to a property deal involving Daphne Caruana Galizia murder suspect Yorgen Fenech once he was contacted by a journalist on 19th December.

She asked for a declaration in her integrity, impartiality and independence.

Yesterday, Times of Malta and Malta Today revealed that Cutajar and her personal aide, Charlie ‘it-Tikka’ Farrugia, pocketed €46,500 each for brokering  Fenech’s attempts to purchase a Mdina home for €3.1 million.

A promise of sale had been signed in May 2019 at Portomaso and Fenech had paid a €300,000 cash deposit. The deal fell through once Fenech was arrested in connection to the assassination.

The property is owned by Green Eyes Ltd, which is run by Pierre Lofaro. However, the beneficial owner of the property is Joe Camilleri. Lofaro is the husband of Judge Abigail Lofaro, who sits on the inquiry board.

Cutajar has failed to deny claims that she helped broker the deal, which happened well after revelations that Fenech was the owner of the Dubai-based company 17 Black.

She has since published a legal letter telling the property’s owner, who has attempted to recoup the fee after the deal fell through, to take the issue up with third-parties.

She insists she acted in the correct “legal, political, and ethical” manner.

PN Leader Bernard Grech has called for her resignation. However, Prime Minister Robert Abela has remained silent on the issue.

Should Rosianne Cutajar step down? Comment below