On Friday, April 25, Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, remanded singer Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, in a Correctional Centre for the alleged mutilation of Naira notes.
Terry Apala was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge of tampering with Naira notes.
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, while dancing during a social event, tampered with Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by marching on them, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”
The singer pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel S.I. Suleiman requested a trial date and urged the court to remand Terry Apala in a Correctional Centre.
In response, defense counsel Felix Nwabuda informed the court of a bail application dated April 23, 2025, and asked for a prompt hearing of the application. He further requested the court to release the defendant to the defense, assuring the court that Terry Apala would appear for future hearings. Nwabuda explained that the singer had returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025, at the invitation of the EFCC.
However, the prosecution opposed the bail application, calling it “alien and unheard of.” Prosecution counsel urged the court to allow time for a proper response to the application.
In a brief ruling, Justice Aluko denied the defense’s bail application and ordered that Terry Apala be remanded in a Correctional Centre.
