A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of hip-hop artist Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, over a charge of naira abuse.
The court’s ruling came on Friday after Ejeh was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on one count of abusing the naira during a social event.
Justice Akintayo Aluko directed that the defendant be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, until May 5, 2025, when his bail application will be heard.
Ejeh was accused of stepping on naira notes while performing at a social gathering at Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos Island, on January 5, 2025.
EFCC counsel, Sulaimon Sulaiman, requested that the charge be read to the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, Sulaiman called for a trial date and for Ejeh to be remanded in custody.
Felix Nwakbudu, the defendant’s lawyer, informed the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client, which had already been served to the prosecution.
Nwakbudu urged the court to allow him to present the bail application, but the prosecutor objected, citing the need for more time to review the documents.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko ordered that Ejeh be held in remand at Ikoyi Correctional Centre while his bail application is pending.
The judge also called for an expedited trial and adjourned the matter until May 5 for further proceedings.
The charge against Ejeh 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 stepping on it, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”
