By Ghazali Ibrahim 
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday ordered the remand of Nigerian hip-hop artiste, Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over an alleged abuse of the Naira.
Terry Apala was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Akintayo Aluko on a one-count charge of tampering with the Nigerian currency during a social event held at Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos Island.
According to the EFCC, the music star allegedly stomped on Naira notes while dancing at the party, an act deemed to be in violation of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
At the court proceedings, EFCC counsel Sulaimon Sulaiman requested that the charge be read to the defendant, who subsequently pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, Sulaiman urged the court to remand the defendant and fix a date for trial.
However, Terry Apala’s counsel, Felix Nwakbudu, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.
Sulaiman, however, opposed hearing the bail application immediately, noting that he had only just received the document in court and would require time to study and respond.
Justice Aluko ruled that the defendant be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre until the bail application is heard and determined.
He also granted an accelerated hearing of the matter and adjourned the trial to May 5, 2025.
The charge reads:
“That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January 2025 at Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with Naira currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by matching on it, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”
The ‘Champagne Shower’ singer is now among the growing list of entertainers facing legal action over currency abuse in Nigeria.
