An Ikoyi high court has remanded popular musician, Terry Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala at the Ikoyi correctional centre over alleged abuse of naira notes.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a statement, disclosed that Apala was arraigned on Friday on a one-count charge of naira mutilation.
The commission accused the singer of violating the Central Bank Act of 2007 by “marching on naira notes” during a social event.
“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 charge reads.
However, Apala pleaded not guilty to the charge.
S.I. Suleiman, EFCC’s counsel, asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the singer at a correctional centre.
Felix Nwabuda, Apala’s lawyer, however, prayed the court for a short date to hear the bail application and urged that the singer be released to the defence.
He argued that Apala would not evade trial, noting he returned from the United Kingdom and honoured the EFCC’s invitation voluntarily.
“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,” Nwabuda said.
“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.”
However, Suleiman opposed the bail application, saying it’s “alien and unheard of”.
“I urge the court to afford us the opportunity to look at the application and respond properly so that the court can make a well -informed ruling,” he said.
Akintayo Aluko, the presiding judge, also refused the bail application and ordered that Apala be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned to May 5 for the hearing of the bail application.
The case comes a few weeks after Murja Ibrahim Kunya, a TikToker, was rearrested in Kano for allegedly abusing the naira.
In 2024, the EFCC intensified its crackdown on naira abuse, citing section 21 of the CBN Act.
Bobrisky, the social media celebrity, was arrested by the commission in Lagos on April 4, 2024, for defacing naira notes. The crossdresser was jailed on a six-count charge.
Socialite Cubana Chief Priest was also arraigned for a three-count charge over alleged naira abuse.