A staff from the National Housing Corporation has been cleared by the Waigani District Court on criminal allegations that she corruptly facilitated the purchase of a property in Port Moresby.
Madeline Paulisbo, was facing allegations of misappropriation, official corruption and abuse of office in her capacity as the Acting Assets General Manager of Property Management.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar in his ruling this morning cleared Paulisbo off all those charges after the court found insufficient evidence.
It was alleged she dishonestly applied to the use of others a property under the name of the late Sir Joseph Nombri between May 6, 2008 and February 19, 2009. Sir Joseph Nombri was the tenant of the property.
It was alleged she dishonestly facilitated the sale and transferred of the property to Elisabeth Kimisopa valued at over K65,000.
Paulisbo was also alleged to have abused her office and conspired with Elisabeth Kimisopa to defraud the National Housing Corporation through that transaction.
Magistrate Bidar’s records showed that the property was listed under the later Sir Joseph Nombri as a tenant, however there were no records of him living in the property.
He said other people living in the property have other “equitable interest” in the property as well.
He said the property was offered to the tenants for sale, however only K7, 000 was paid.
“National Housing Corporation like any other corporation has to make money by selling off properties.
“In respect to the Court’s view, the matter is a property dispute between the late Nombri’s family, Mrs Kimisopa and the NHC,” Bidar said.
He said the matter was a property dispute and not criminal related. There was no evidence to support the charges.