On Friday, April 25, 2025, Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the remand of musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over allegations of mutilating Naira notes.
Ejeh was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge concerning the alleged offence.
According to the charge, Ejeh is accused of tampering with Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, during a social event. The charge states that while dancing, Ejeh allegedly trampled on the Naira notes, in violation of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
When the charge was read, Ejeh pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, the prosecution, represented by S.I. Suleiman, requested a trial date and moved for the defendant to be remanded in custody until the trial begins.
In response, the defence counsel, Felix Nwabuda, informed the court of a pending bail application dated April 23, 2025. He requested a short adjournment for the application’s hearing, assuring the court that Ejeh would be presented as required. Nwabuda emphasized that the defendant had voluntarily returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025, following an invitation from the EFCC.
The prosecution, however, opposed the bail application, arguing that it was unusual and asked the court for time to review the application and respond accordingly.
In a brief ruling, Justice Aluko dismissed the defence’s application and adjourned the case to May 5, 2025, for a hearing on the bail application. The judge also ordered Ejeh to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until the bail hearing.
