Police have arrested and charged a former employee of a finance company over a coordinated internal fraud scheme that is alleged to have stolen close to K2.1 million through forged invoices, inflated quotations and collusion with accomplices.
“The National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate investigated and charged a 36-year-old former Assistant Property Manager,” Commissioner of Police, David Manning said.
“Police allege that he conspired with co-workers between January 2025 and January 2026 to create fake supplier invoices and redirect corporate payments into bank accounts controlled by the group.
“A major component of the fraud involved a separate company. which had submitted genuine invoices. Investigators established that the suspect and his accomplices generated inflated payments being paid into accounts they nominated.”
The suspect was brought to the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate (NFACD) in March, interviewed, and admitted to the offences. He was formally charged with:
e One count of Misappropriation (Section 383A, Criminal Code Act): and, « One count of Conspiracy to Defraud (Section 407, Cnminal Code Act). The suspect was refused police bail and is currently detained at Boroko Police Station.
Commissioner Manning said the arrest demonstrates the Constabulary’s commitment to protecting businesses from organised white-collar crime.
“This case highlights the increasing prevalence of internal fraud schemes targeting corporate entities. The Constabulary acted swiftly, and we will continue to pursue every individual involved in this conspiracy,” Manning said.
The Commissioner of Police, David Manning, yesterday welcomed New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers to Police Headquarters in Port Moresby, marking the first official visit by a New Zealand Police Commissioner to PHQ — a milestone moment in the policing partnership between the two nations. Commissioner Manning said the visit reflects the deep and longstanding cooperation between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, particularly in support of the Bougainville Police Service, where both countries continue to work together to strengthen policing capability, leadership, and community safety. During the meeting, the two Commissioners held highlevel discussions on some of the most pressing security challenges facing the Pacific region, including organised crime, illegal drugs, and online child sexual abuse. Both Commissioners acknowledged that these threats are increasingly sophisticated, transnational, and harmful to vulnerable communities across the region. Commissioner Manning said the Constabulary and its regional partners must move decisively and collaboratively. “Our region is facing serious and evolving criminal threats. Strengthening our partnerships, sharing intelligence, and building the capabilities of Pacific police forces is essential to protecting our people and safeguarding our future.” The Commissioners agreed to enhance intelligence sharing, deepen operational cooperation, and expand joint efforts to combat serious crimes, organised criminal networks, and the trafficking of illegal drugs. They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting children by improving investigative capacity and crossborder collaboration to tackle online child sexual abuse. The Commissioners discussed the importance of effective law enforcement cooperation and examined opportunities for enhanced regional police cooperation during major events, including planning and logistics support for the 2027 National Elections. Commissioner Manning said the visit reinforces the unity and shared purpose of Pacific policing. “New Zealand has been a steadfast partner to PNG. Commissioner Chambers’ visit signals our collective determination to confront crime together and ensure a safer, more secure Pacific for all.”
In the last few years, Papua New Guineans were told that the former head of the Finance Department, Steven Gibson, had passed on- deceased.
Even the courts accepted his passing despite minimal prove.
But now, a recent photograph that surfaced is raising troubling questions.
A man almost resembles Mr Gibson with other family members at his daughter’s graduation on November 17, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia
An image has emerged showing a man strikingly resembling Mr Gibson attending his daughter’s graduation at the University of Melbourne on November 17, 2025, just four months ago.
A closure look surely resembles Mr Gibson.
The photograph, unintentionally leaked on a LinkedIn page Chauka Ya, has reignited long-standing rumours that the former Finance Secretary may in fact still be alive.
Copy of the LinkedIn page where the photograph was published.
The doubts are not new. Despite Mr Gibson’s stature as a senior public servant who once controlled the nation’s purse, there has never been a public death notice, funeral announcement, condolence statement, or official record readily accessible confirming his passing.
Even a simple Google search yields no obituary, no media report of a burial, and no formal confirmation from authorities. For someone of his profile, such silence has always been unusual.
An election Poster of Steven Gibson when he contested the Manus Open in 2017.
The only widely cited reference to his alleged death came during the prosecution of Jacob Yafai. In that trial, senior prosecutor Linda Maru told the court while basing on an affidavit of a police officer, that Mr Gibson had died sometime back in his home province on Manus Island.
The information was disputed by the defense lawyer, saying there was no evidence to proof Mr Gibson’s death. However, Mrs Maru also stated that she had personal knowledge of Mr Gibson’s death because she was also from Manus.
However, no evidence including death certificate was formally produced in court to support the claim. Nonetheless, the court proceeded on the basis that Mr Gibson had died. That development had significant consequences. At the time controversial payments were made to Paraka Lawyers, Mr Yafai served as Deputy Secretary for Finance (Operations), while Mr Gibson was Secretary for Finance, the overall head of the department. Had Mr Gibson been alive, he would almost certainly have been called in as a State witness to faced scrutiny and possible prosecution alongside his subordinate. Instead, with the court nothing that he was dead, the spotlight fell squarely on Mr Yafai, who was subsequently convicted and jailed for failing to properly verify substantial public funds paid out as legal claims. Now, the resurfaced photograph threatens to upend that settled history.
The striking resemblance
Observers point to the strong resemblance between the man in the graduation photo and Mr Gibson’s earlier public images, including an election campaign poster from when he once contested national elections back in 2017. The facial features, his built and overall appearance appear consistent, prompting speculation that he may have deliberately remained out of public view to avoid prosecution over alleged misappropriation of millions of kina during his tenure. If the man in the photograph is indeed Steven Gibson, it would raise profound legal and constitutional questions. It would mean that a court accepted testimony of his death without documentary proof, and that a key figure in one of the country’s most controversial financial scandals was never brought to account. At this stage, the matter remains unverified. A photograph alone does not constitute proof of life. However, the renewed public interest demands clarity. It is now up to the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate and establish the truth: Is Steven Gibson alive? If he is, then the rule of law requires that he be brought before the courts to answer for decisions made during his time as Finance Secretary. If he is not, then official documentation should be made public to put the rumours to rest once and for all. Until then, the questions will only grow louder.
Daru Oval, nestled in the heart of Daru town and the administrative hub of Western Province, burst into life today as the 2025 Sisa Kimia Cup 9’s Rugby League tournament officially kicked off, signalling three days of fast-paced action, raw talent and provincial pride.
The annual nines tournament has drawn widespread excitement, with gifted young players from all four districts of Western Province converging on Daru to test their skills on the big stage. For many, the tournament represents more than just silverware — it is a rare opportunity to be seen, tested and potentially elevated to higher honours.
This year’s event marks the second season of the Sisa Kimia Cup, following the successful inaugural tournament held last December, 2024. The rapid growth of the competition reflected the rising popularity of rugby league in the province and the hunger among young athletes to make their mark.
Officials from the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL), including technical officers and accredited referees, are already on the ground to ensure the tournament runs smoothly and meets national standards. A total of 16 teams are expected to compete, with the formal opening set to be officiated by Western Province Governor Taboi Awi Yoto, who is currently in the province.
Daru Rugby League President Cameron Gigiba described the tournament as a major highlight on the provincial sporting calendar. He said all executives of the Western Provincial Rugby League Board, along with PNGRFL scouts, will be closely watching matches to identify emerging talents for future development pathways.
Adding further weight to the event, PNGRFL Pathway Development Manager Saku Ank and Western Rugby League Board Chairman Bina Gigiba are expected to arrive in Daru today to observe the tournament.
With passion, pace and opportunity colliding at Daru Oval, the Sisa Kimia Cup 9s promises to be a proving ground where tomorrow’s rugby league stars of Western Province could be born.
The Waigani District Court has delivered a precedent-setting ruling affirming its authority to vary bail conditions, including granting permission for overseas travel, despite objections from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
In dismissing ICAC’s challenge, Magistrate Paul Puri Nii ruled that the District Court retains jurisdiction to amend bail conditions where it was the court that originally granted bail.
The decision arose from an application by former Kandep MP Don Pomb Polye, represented by lawyer Edward Sasingian of Sasingian Lawyers, who sought approval to travel overseas for educational and medical reasons ahead of his next court appearance.
ICAC argued that under Section 23 of the Bail Act, only the National Court could authorize overseas travel. However, Magistrate Nii rejected this interpretation, describing the objection as “misconceived.”
He held that the word “may” in Section 23 is permissive rather than mandatory, meaning it offers an option to apply to higher courts but does not remove the District Court’s powers. The magistrate further relied on Section 20 of the Bail Act, which allows bail variations to be heard by a court not lower than the one that granted bail.
The court subsequently approved Polye’s overseas travel, on condition that he returns to Papua New Guinea by February 16, 2026.
The ruling is expected to guide future bail variation applications and reinforce the authority of District Courts under the Bail Act.
National airliner, Air Niugini, is grappling with an overwhelming surge in Christmas travel, forcing the closure of bookings on several popular routes as its limited fleet struggles to keep up with unprecedented demand.
In a public notice issued earlier today, the airline confirmed that ticket sales to some destinations have been closed after all available seats on scheduled aircraft were fully booked. With Christmas traditionally the busiest travel period of the year, Air Niugini says many flights are selling out well in advance, leaving would-be passengers with no option but to book for later dates.
The airline has appealed to customers to avoid turning up at airports without confirmed tickets for their intended travel dates, warning that congestion at terminals only worsens delays and frustrations during the peak period. Air Niugini has also stressed that tickets cannot be changed at the airport under any circumstances.
Passengers wishing to make new bookings, change existing tickets or seek assistance are instead encouraged to visit Air Niugini sales offices, use accredited travel agents, contact the airline’s telephone sales desk, or book online.
Behind the disruptions lies a familiar challenge: soaring festive-season demand colliding with a constrained fleet. As thousands of Papua New Guineans attempt to return home to reunite with families, the airline says it is doing everything possible to move as many passengers as it can safely and efficiently.
Air Niugini has urged travelers to remain patient and respectful, reminding the public that abusive behaviour toward airline and airport staff will not be tolerated. Security personnel, the airline noted, are on standby to ensure the safety of staff and passengers alike.
“Christmas is the busiest time of the year for Air Niugini, and we ask for your understanding as we work through these challenges,” the management stated.
Despite the frustrations, the airline has extended its best wishes to customers, expressing hope that the festive spirit will prevail as Papua New Guineans make their journeys home for Christmas.
A distraught father in Port Moresby wants urgent intervention from authorities after his teenage daughter became the latest victim of a disturbing wave of cyberbullying sweeping the country.
Kasis Inape, a concerned parent from the National Capital District, says he turned up at the Cyber Crime Office at 7-Mile Police Station yesterday morning to file a formal complaint—only to discover the stark reality facing law enforcement.
“I went to lodge my complaint, but the officer in charge told me cybercrime is on the rise and they simply don’t have the manpower or technical capacity to deal with the surge. Cybercrimes respect no one. Every one of us is vulnerable,” Inape said via his Facebook post.
According to Inape, his daughter attended her niece’s graduation ceremony at Sir John Guise Stadium last week when an unknown photographer snapped her picture without consent. The photo was later cropped, reposted online, and began circulating widely. The situation escalated when another individual allegedly edited the image to make it appear explicit—an act the father describes as “devastating and humiliating.”
“I am a disciplined parent. I don’t tolerate such behaviour for my daughters,” he said. “Someone took advantage of her image and violated her dignity. How can I track the person responsible and pursue justice under the Cyber Crimes Act?”
Inape said the officer he spoke to stressed that cyber-related offenses are occurring daily, yet the country still lacks a fully equipped unit to fight them. He is now calling on the Government to urgently establish a properly resourced cybercrime division, complete with trained personnel and modern digital investigative tools.
He believes Papua New Guinea can learn from partner countries like Australia through the existing AFP–PNG Police partnership, saying such cooperation could help build a robust and effective cybercrime enforcement framework.
“These crimes are growing faster than our ability to respond,” Inape warned. “Families like mine are being left helpless. We need a functional system—not tomorrow, but today.”
As the viral post continues to circulate, the father vows not to give up until justice is served and proper protections are put in place for all citizens, especially young women increasingly targeted online.
A leader of Southern Highlands, Peter Nupiri, today presented K100,000.00 as a show of sympathy to all affected families living in and around the Old Compound area in Mendi town. He said the contribution was a genuine expression of sorrow for the hardship and suffering endured during the 2022 election-related mayhem in Mendi. This presentation follows Mr Nupiri’s earlier compensation exercises, where he personally compensated families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured during the unrest. During today’s event, Mr Nupiri also extended an open invitation to the people and leaders of Tubiri village, saying he was ready and willing to sit with them, apologise to each other, and restore peace whenever they were prepared to do so. He affirmed that true leadership requires humility, responsibility, and the courage to make peace. Having already apologised publicly and compensated families months ago, Mr Nupiri said he wanted to go a step further before Christmas and bless the affected families with something they can share as they look toward the festive season. He said the contribution was a genuine expression of sorrow for the hardship and suffering endured during the 2022 election-related mayhem in Mendi. He concluded by wishing all families a safe and peaceful Christmas and urged everyone to continue upholding peace, unity, and respect in Mendi town.
A Spanish woman in Madrid, recently took the company she used to work for to Court for firing her because she often arrive at work very early.
Coming in late for work can be considered grounds for dismissal, but it turns out that arriving too early can also be considered a serious problem by employers. A Spanish woman found this out the hard way when she was let go after repeatedly ignoring warnings that she was arriving too early.
The young woman, who worked for a delivery company based in Alicante, was in the habit of arriving at her workplace between 6:45 and 7:00 a.m., even though her contract stipulated that she was supposed to start at 7:30 a.m. This meant that she started her shift earlier than her coworkers, which displeased her manager. She was first reprimanded for her habit in 2023, but she continued to arrive early, ignoring the thinly veiled threats from management. Earlier this year, her boss decided to fire her for “serious misconduct,” arguing that by arriving so early, his employee had no tasks to perform and was therefore making no contribution to the company. The employee didn’t see things that way, though, and she challenged the decision in an Alicante social court.
To the young woman’s surprise, the Court sided with her employer, arguing that, by repeatedly ignoring the management’s warnings, she had a negative impact on the employee-employer relationship.
” The worker’s conduct had an impact on the relationship of trust and loyalty, which is considerably affected, because despite the company’s warnings … the complainant insisted on entering prematurely,” the Court’s ruling read. “Ultimately“, it is considered that the behaviors attributed to the worker … are of sufficient gravity and importance to constitute very serious misconduct of disloyalty, breach of trust and disobedience, which justify the termination of the employment relationship.”
Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) Commissioner General Sam Koim will officially resign on Tuesday, ending a six-year tenure marked by aggressive tax reforms and a high-profile crackdown on compliance.
Koim has kept the country guessing on the real reason behind his abrupt departure, but hinted that his exit is not driven by turmoil or pressure. “I am not running away from something, but I am running into something,” he said, signalling a possible transition into a new professional chapter.
His resignation from the IRC will also see him vacate two other major public roles — as board member of the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority and as chancellor of the PNG University of Technology.
Koim has not disclosed what he plans to “run into”, but his comments have already triggered speculation across government and corporate circles. His exit comes at a time when the IRC is pushing through several modernisation programs and strengthening enforcement mechanisms that have boosted revenue collection in recent years.
More details are expected when he formally announces his next steps on Tuesday.
