By Musa Paul Feika
Elias Abound, the Manager of Michael Security Company (MSC), which is situated at Sir Samuel Lewis Road in Freetown, has made his first appearance before Magistrate Isata Sellu Tucker, who presides over the Industrial High Court No.2 at the main Law Court Building, Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, for allegedly failing to pay national social contributions for his workers.
The defendant was supposed to appear before Magistrate Tucker on Saturday 19th June, 2021, but was absent. He was however represented by the Operations Manager of the said company. When the charged was put to him, he pleaded guilty.
In his plea of mitigation, the Operations Manager told the court that they are willing and ready to pay the said amount to the Trust. He added that they had made an attempt to make a part payment of ten million Leones (Le10,000,000) to the Trust, but he said the Trust refused the money on the grounds that the matter is before the court. He further pleaded with the bench to make a payment plan for them.
Magistrate Tucker ordered the defendant to pay the sum he owed to the Trust. Bail was granted to the defendant with two sureties in like sum.
The defendant is arraigned before the court for the offence of failing to pay national social contributions for his workers, an offence which is contrary to Section 32 (1) (c ) of the NASSIT Act No. 5 of 2001.
The matter will come up again on the 26th June, 2021.