TERRY APALA REMANDED IN IKOYI PRISON OVER ALLEGED NAIRA MUTILATION
Nigerian hip-hop artiste, Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, has been remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre by a Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of naira mutilation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the singer on Friday before Justice Akintayo Aluko on a one-count charge. According to the charge, the musician allegedly stepped on naira notes while dancing at an event held on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos.
The charge reads: “That you, Terry Alexander Ejeh, on the 5th day of January 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by marching on the same, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”
Terry Apala pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The EFCC’s counsel, S.I. Sulaiman, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in custody. However, the defence counsel, Felix Nwakbudu, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the EFCC. He pleaded for the release of his client pending the hearing of the application.
“He came in from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025, and honoured the EFCC’s invitation voluntarily. We assure the court he will not evade hearing,” Nwakbudu stated.
The EFCC’s counsel opposed the oral request for bail, saying he had only just received the application and needed time to respond.
Justice Aluko ruled that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and directed that the matter be treated with urgency. The trial was adjourned to May 5, 2025.
