Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 25, 2025, ordered the remand of popular musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, also known as Terry Apala, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over alleged mutilation of Naira notes.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the singer on a one-count charge, accusing him of tampering with Naira notes during a social event.
According to the charge, Terry Apala was alleged to have committed the offence on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, by stepping on Naira notes while dancing — an act prohibited under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in custody.
However, defence counsel Felix Nwabuda informed the court of a pending bail application filed on April 23 and appealed for a short adjournment to hear the application. He also urged the court to temporarily release the musician to the defence team, assuring that he would not jump bail.
“Terry Apala came into the country voluntarily on April 23, 2025, in response to the EFCC’s invitation. He is not a flight risk,” Nwabuda argued.
The prosecution objected, describing the request as “unheard of” and asked for time to respond to the application adequately.
In a brief ruling, Justice Aluko denied the request for the musician’s temporary release and ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned to May 5, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application.
