Court Remands Musician Terry Apala Over Naira Abuse

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday ordered the remand of hip-hop musician, Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until May 2025, when his bail application will be heard and determined.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Ejeh before Justice Akintayo Aluko on a one-count charge of naira abuse. According to the EFCC, the musician was seen trampling on the naira while dancing during a social event held at Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos Island.

EFCC counsel, Sulaimon Sulaiman, presented the charge and asked the court to allow the defendant to take his plea. Ejeh pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the plea, Sulaiman requested a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in custody. However, Ejeh’s lawyer, Felix Nwakbudu, informed the court of a pending bail application filed earlier that day and urged the court to allow him to move it.

The prosecutor objected, stating that the application was only just served and needed time to study and respond.

Justice Aluko, in his ruling, agreed with the prosecution and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail application. He also fixed May 5, 2025, for the commencement of trial and directed an accelerated hearing of the case.

The charge against Ejeh reads:

“That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January 2025, at Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with naira currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by marching on it, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”