By Musa Paul Feika
On Saturday 8th May, 2021, due to a prudent inspection conducted by Inspector Bernedict Amedu Kargbo, working for the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), it has won over a year matter between NASSIT and K3 Telecommunication Sierra Leone Limited Company, situated along Wilkinson Road in Freetown. This happened at the Industrial High Court No.1, in Sierra Leone, during a ruling done by Magistrate Mark Ngegba.
According to the ruling, the accused, Majid Basma, was instructed by the bench to immediately pay nineteen million nine hundred and seventy nine thousand, four hundred and fifty six Leones and nine cent (Le19,2009,456.9) dues he owed the Trust.
The CEO was further ordered to pay a fine of three million Leones (Le3,000,000) to the Judiciary sub-Treasury instantly.
Magistrate Ngeba said two witnesses were led by the prosecution counsel, Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah ESQ., which include Inspector Bernedict Amedu Kargbo, who did the inspection for NASSIT, and one witness.
He said the evidence of Inspector Kargbo directly points towards the accused, adding that, when the defence counsel, M.M. Tejan, opened their case, five witnesses, who are employees of Mr. Basma, were also led by him. But he failed to fulfil and meet his statutory obligation.
Inspector Kargbo conducted inspection on the said establishment on diverse dates between August 2018 and March 2019. A tremendous effort was made by the complainant for the accused to comply. But he said all proved to be futile till the action was brought to court.
The accused was before the court on one count charge of failing to pay NASSIT contributions, which is contrary to Section 32 (1) © of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) Act No. 5 of 2001.
The charge sheet adduces that K3 Telecommunication Sierra Leone Limited, being an establishment under the (NASSIT) Act No. 5 of 2001, failed to pay (NASSIT) contributions for their workers (employees).