By NT Correspondent.

Three businessmen have been arraigned before a Nairobi court over conspiracy to defraud National Social Security Fund (NSSF) land valued at approximately Sh350 million.

Harish Ramji Manji , Ashvin Ramji Manji and Ashvin Ramji Bharat were presented before Milimani Chief Magistrate Dolphina Alego.

The trio, however, did not plead to the charges after their lawyers raised an objection stating that there was a similar matter pending before Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi.

They argued the charges were worded the same and that the case is coming up for mention before Ekhubi to confirm the status of another case pending at the Court of appeal.

The lawyer submitted that ruling by the court of appeal suspending arrest and prosecution of the accused was sufficient enough to defer the plea taking.

They were released on a personal bond of Sh200,000 each .

The magistrate directed the defence to avail the court of appeal ruling, which allegedly suspended their prosecution.

According to the charge sheet registered in court the suspects jointly with others not before court, conspired to forge a transfer document dated 27 May, 2010 purporting it to be a genuine document signed by the Board of Trustees NSSF.

The charges stated that they intended to defraud NSSF of a parcel of land LR.NO.11895/50 measuring approximately 3,043 Hectares located within Mavoko Municipality, valued approximately 350 million.