Accra, Oct. 28, GNA - The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) on Thursday dragged 12 companies to an Accra Circuit Court for non-payment of workers' contributions of over 160 million cedis.

The companies were: New England Estates; Sanaa Lodging Limited; International Travel Exchange Limited and Sound Foundation School. The rest were Grace Oils Mills and Service; Kent Pharmacy and Imperial Driving School.

Representatives of the companies pleaded guilty to defaulting to pay SSNIT contribution and penalty of arrears and informed the Court they had started paying.

The Court ordered the arrest of the Directors of Silicon Valley International School; Sunset School; Clecom Memorial Hospital; Verhnes Ghana Limited and Veritas International School for failing to appear before it.

They are to reappear on November 26.

Grace Oil Mills and Service was cautioned and discharged to negotiate with SSNIT.

The Prosecution told the Court that between January 2004 and September 2004 the companies failed to pay their contribution to SSNIT.