July 27, 2021
By: Audrey John
Magistrate Mark Ngegba, presiding at the Industrial High Court of Social Justice No.1, at the main Law Court Building, Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, has ordered the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Mambu and Frederic Amara, to instantly pay fifty percent of the money he owed to the NASSIT, or alternatively imprisoned for two years.
According to the Lawyer representing the complainant Jah the total amount and due the defendants owed to the Trust Le16, 246,434.43, winch is inclusive of arrears, interest and penalty.
The defendants were arraigned before the court on one count of failing to pay national social contributions, which is contrary to Section 32 (1) (c) of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust ( NASSIT) Act No.5 of 2001.
The charge sheet adduces that Charles Mambu and Frederic Amara, being an established under the National social security and insurance Trust Act No. 5 of 2001, on diverse dates between April 2020 and January 2021, at Fort Street in Freetown, failed to pay national social contributions for their workers (employees) within the required period.
When the charge was read to both defendants, Charles Mambu and Frederic Amara pleaded guilty.
In their plea of mitigation, Mr. Mambu told the bench that they are willing and ready to pay the said sum to the Trust. As a matter of fact, he pleaded with the court to give them two months to pay the money to the Trust.
Magistrate Ngegba, in his ruling, he ordered both defendants to instantly pay fifty percent of the money or alternatively faced two years imprisonment in the male & female correctional centre in Freetown.