Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 25, ordered the remand of Nigerian singer Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, at a Correctional Centre over allegations of Naira mutilation.
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 during a social event.
According to the charge, the incident took place on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, where the singer allegedly trampled on Naira notes while dancing — an act said to violate Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following his plea, EFCC counsel S.I. Suleiman requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in custody.
Defense counsel Felix Nwabuda informed the court of a pending bail application filed on April 23 and asked that the singer be released temporarily to the defense team, promising his client would return for trial. He emphasized that Terry had flown in from the UK and voluntarily honored the EFCC’s invitation.
The prosecution opposed the request, calling it “alien and unheard of,” and asked for time to formally respond to the bail application.
Justice Aluko, in a brief ruling, declined the defense’s request and ordered that Terry Apala be remanded pending the hearing of the bail application.
chai