The Accra Circuit and the District Magistrate courts on Saturday issued bench warrants for the arrest of 24 managing directors (MDs) of companies and heads of institutions for allegedly defaulting in the payment of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions of their staff. The defaulters had also refused to fulfill negotiated terms between them and SSNIT for the payment of their indebtedness, amounting to GH¢I, 093, 309.30. The action of the courts followed the expiry of a 3-day grace period allowed the defaulters, to fulfill their obligations to SSNIT. The refusal of the defaulters to pay the SSNIT contributions of their staff contravenes the National Pension Act of 2008, Act 766, which empowers SSNIT to institute criminal charges against them. Among the personalities who will be hauled before court are Steve K. Amoa Marfo; the MD of Ikam Limited, who tops the list with GH¢684,848.53, with another company under Mr. Marfo's watch, Megastar Limited, expected to cough up GH¢14, 495, 88 and Alhaji Baba Kamara, Ghana's High Commissioner to Nigeria, whose company, the Kamara Group Limited, owes GH¢I, 545, 72. The Circuit Court, presided over by Mrs. Georgina Mensah-Datsa, issued the warrant for the arrest of Mr. Willie Jameh, the MD of Granite and Marbles, whose indebtedness is GH¢222,717, 85; Salian Marius of Caribbean Atlantic Holding Ghana Limited, GH¢60, 104, 62; Godwin K. Amekudi, Protea Hotel, GH¢43,032.77, and M.A. Amoah of Nyagsi Engineering Company Limited, GH¢15, 818, 56. Others are Emmanuel Krampah; Insight Advertising, Limited, GH¢5,186; Francis Mensah, MD, Intrex Aluminium Systems, GH¢14, 122.52; Maxwell K. Logan of Logan and Associates, GH¢5, 833.33. The District Magistrate Court, under the jurisdiction of Mr. Bart Plange-Brew, is also after Hannah Boateng of Hannah Nursing and Preparatory, who owes, GH¢2,996.09; Joseph Paddy, Kingdom Autoparts Company Limited, GH¢4, 064.13; James Anokye of Fruito Food Processing Company, GH¢3,644.86; Fredick Quaynor of Trackline Financial Services, GH¢3, 264.75, and Bernice Ampofo, Maxi Investment Solutions, GH¢2, 854. Others are Daniel Fosu–Mensah of Thyneray Montessori School, GH¢3, 550.07; Mathew Mensah of Altimate Financial Services, GH¢1,996.62; Kwame W. Bempah of Lolababy Hotel, GH¢879.41, and Alhaji Mohammed of Akweteman Glory Oil, GH¢2, 935.46. The rest are Vermont Kouakep of CCSI Limited, GH¢3, 213.23; Samuel Nii Tackie of Tracks Farms Limited, GH¢1, 742.74; Joe Azar of Joe Azar Limited, GH¢2061.38, and Rebecca Akotia of Elohin Industrial Training, GH¢2,485.88 Source: Daily Graphic