Lagos, Nigeria — Popular Nigerian hip-hop artist, Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, has been remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre by the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged case of naira abuse.
Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the remand order on Friday, pending the hearing of Apala’s bail application scheduled for May 5, 2025.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the singer on a one-count charge of tampering with the naira during a social event held on January 5, 2025, at Madison Place in Oniru, Lagos.
According to the EFCC, Apala was seen dancing and trampling on naira notes, an action said to contravene Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
Terry Apala pleaded not guilty to the charge. His legal counsel, Felix Nwakbudu, informed the court that a bail application had been filed and duly served on the prosecution.
However, EFCC counsel Sulaimon Sulaiman requested time to respond, leading to a postponement of the bail hearing.
Justice Aluko ordered the defendant’s remand and fixed May 5, 2025, for the commencement of trial, instructing that proceedings be conducted with accelerated hearing.
The official charge reads in part: “That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January 2025 at Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, tampered with the naira currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by stepping on it…”
The development has reignited national conversations around naira abuse, a criminal offense that the authorities say must be taken seriously to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s currency.
