Nigerian hip-hop artist Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, was on Friday remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos over allegations of naira abuse. The charge stems from an incident where the singer allegedly stepped on naira notes while dancing at an event held at La Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos.
Terry Apala was brought before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, on a one-count charge filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to the charge, on January 5, 2025, at a social gathering, Ejeh “tampered with naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by marching on them,” an act deemed punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.EFCC counsel, S.I. Sulaiman, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant. However, Ejeh’s lawyer, Felix Nwakbudu, informed the court that a bail application had been submitted and served to the EFCC. He urged the court to consider releasing his client pending the hearing.
“We respectfully request that the defendant be released to the defence. He returned from the UK on April 23, 2025, and voluntarily honoured the EFCC’s invitation,” Nwakbudu said. The EFCC prosecutor opposed the request, stating the bail application was only received shortly before the hearing and required time for review.
Justice Aluko ordered that Terry Apala be remanded in custody until the bail application is heard and determined. The trial was adjourned to May 5, 2025, with the judge urging that proceedings be conducted promptly.
Source : https://gazettengr.com/
