Court remands singer Terry Apala for naira abuse
Nigerian hip-hop musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, was on Friday remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, over alleged naira mutilation.
The singer allegedly stepped on the notes while dancing at an event in La Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos.
Terry Apala was arraigned before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court over a one-count charge of naira mutilation against him by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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.”
The singer pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel, S.I. Sulaiman, thereafter applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.
However, Ejeh’s lawyer, Felix Nwakbudu, told the court that a bail application had already been filed on behalf of his client. He added that the EFCC had been served with the application and appealed to the court to allow him to present it.
“ Whilst praying the court for a short date for the hearing of the bail application, I will be craving the indulgence of the court to release the defendant to the defence.
“We undertake to produce him in court. He will not evade hearing. He came in from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025, and on the invitation of the EFCC, he came on his own,” Nwakbudu said.
EFCC’s counsel opposed the request, stating that he had just received the application shortly before the court session and would need time to study it and respond accordingly.
Justice Aluko, in a brief ruling, ordered that Ejeh be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The judge also directed that the matter be heard expeditiously and adjourned the case till May 5, 2025, for trial.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
IG Egbetokun launches school protection squad in Edo
According to him, the squad will serve as a rapid response and preventive unit specifically trained to work with school communities.
Africa
U.S. tariffs will have minimal impact on Africa: Okonjo-Iweala
She noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
Health
NAFDAC seizes 551 cartons of banned pesticides worth over N800 million in Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo
The agency urged the public to remain vigilant by verifying product sources.
World
UK govt deports 43 Nigerians, Ghanaians over failed asylum, other offences
According to the release, over 24,000 individuals have been returned to their countries since the election in the UK.
World
Trump administration backtracks over abrupt cancellation of foreign students’ U.S. visa registrations
Mr Carilli explained that until the process was complete, agencies would not make additional changes or further revocations.
World
FBI agents seize Milwaukee Judge for allowing illegal immigrant use ‘jury door’ evade arrest
According to Ms Bondi, “escorting a criminal defendant out a back door” is tantamount to obstruction of justice.
