Singer Terry Apala remanded in Prison for allegedly mutilating Naira Notes

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday ordered the remand of popular musician, Terry Ejeh, widely known as Terry Apala, in a correctional centre over allegations of naira mutilation.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the singer on a one-count charge bordering on the mutilation of naira notes.

According to the charge, “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.”

Terry Apala, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him in court.

Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.

On the other hand, the defence counsel, Felix Nwabuda, informed the court about a bail application filed on April 23, 2025, and appealed for a short date to hear the bail request.

Nwabuda also pleaded with the court to release the defendant to the defence’s custody, assuring that Terry Apala would be present for subsequent court proceedings.

He added that the singer had returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025, and voluntarily honoured the EFCC’s invitation.

However, the prosecution objected to the application, describing it as “alien and unheard of” and requested time to properly respond to the bail application before the court makes a ruling.

In his ruling, Justice Akintayo Aluko declined the defence’s request for the defendant’s release and ordered that Terry Apala be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.

The matter was adjourned to May 5, 2025.