An Accra District Magistrate Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Addo Augustine, the Managing Director (MD) of Baron Water House Limited for failing to pay Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions of workers, amounting to GH¢167, 807.29.

The MD failed to show up at court after a demand letter of the company’s indebtedness was served on him to appear on June 17, 2017.

The court also issued separate warrants for the arrest of three others, Oludamilola Sewanu, Hajia Ramatu Damba, and Shao, respectively, the MD of Boswan Ghana Limited, Financial Director of Global Amass Limited and Director of Hwa Cheng Packaging Limited.

Prosecutor, Paul Parker Atitsogbui, of the SSNIT told the court, presided by Dr. Wolanyor Kotoku, that the accused committed various offences contrary to Section 83 (1) (d) (h) of the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766) as amended by National Pensions (Amendment) Act 2014 (Act 883) and Sections 83(1)(a) (g) of the National Pensions Act, 2008(Act 766).

In the first case, prosecution said inspections conducted by officers of the SSNIT between September 2015 and March 2017, on the “relevant books” of Mr Addo Augustine, whose company produces Ice Drop Mineral Water, revealed arrears of GH¢ 167,807.29 being SSNIT contributions and penalty to be credited to his accounts.

Out of the total amount, Mr. Atitsogbui indicated that GH¢128,162.25 was the actual contributions, whilst GH¢39, 645.04, was the cumulative charges for delayed payments.

In the second case, Sewanu failed to register his establishment with the SSNIT.

Hajia Damba, did not honour SSNIT contributions totalling GH¢ 21,033.25.

The court heard that her company, which dealt in the production of general services, was registered by the Basic National Social Security Scheme with the registration number 200300875.

According to the prosecutor, Hajia Damba, was in arrears, being SSNIT contributions and penalty for delayed payments between March 2010 and May 2017.

Mr. Atitsogbui told the court that efforts to get Hajia Damba to settle her indebtedness proved futile, and Shao also failed to register his workers onto the Trust.

Josephine Osafo-Affum, Branch Manager, SSNIT, Legon, Accra, has urged workers to report employers, who would fail to pay their SSNIT contributions, to the appropriate authorities.