The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, ordered an interim forfeiture of $376,120 allegedly traced to Major General Hakeem Otiki.

The application was granted following the quizzing of EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, for a lengthy period by justice Ijeoma Ojukwu to ascertain the merit of the commission’s application

He, however, ordered the commission to publish the court order in a national daily to allow anyone who’s interested in the money to appear and provide cogent reasons why it should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge gave any interested person 14 days from the date of publication to show cause for restraint of permanent forfeiture.

She then adjourned till February 24 for hearing.

Otiki is facing charges before the Army court martial in respect of the funds.

The EFCC alleged that Otiki detailed some soldiers to provide escort from Sokoto to Kaduna for one Alhaji Ado Aliyu, a bureau de change operator, with N400m but made away with the money.

The commission said the money was suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities.

Aliyu was also said to be helping Otiki to run a bureau de change firm Karama BDC Nigeria Ltd.

An affidavit filed in support of EFCC’s ex parte application read in part, “That Major General Otiki whilst still in public service acquired Karama BDC Nigeria Ltd. in 2014. Out of the company’s 35, 000, 000 share capital, he had 22, 000, 000 shares.

“Similarly, Maj. General Otiki is also the highest shareholder in Danest Hotel and Suites Nigeria Limited and Daniest Nigeria Ltd.

“The office addresses of the BDC and hotel are respectively in Lagos and Ibadan.”