The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has dragged Engineers and Planners and the company’s CEO and Directors to court for failing to pay social security contributions of its staff as required by law.

However, the CEO of the company, Ibrahim Mahama – the younger brother of former President John Dramani Mahama –Kwadwo Aboagye-Attah, its director, and Sidney Aubrey Steyn, Managing Director, failed to make their first appearance in court on Saturday 29 April. Meanwhile, the company’s Executive Director, Sulemana Ahmed Amidu, was present at the district court in Accra and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He was granted bail in the sum of GHS10,000 and the case adjourned to May 13.

As required by the National Pensions Act of 2008, Act 766, an employer is expected to pay social security on behalf of the employees at the end of every month.

However, officers at SSNIT said an inspection of the books of the company revealed that from February 2015 to July 2015, June 2016 to August 2016, and in October 2016, the SSNIT contributions of employees, amounting to GHS668,754.75, had not been paid.

According to SSNIT, the amount attracted a penalty of GHS387,709.31, bringing the total indebtedness of the accused to GHS1,056,464.06.