Terry Apala Remanded At Ikoyi Prison Over Alleged Naira Mutilation

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 25, 2025, directed that Nigerian musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly recognized as Terry Apala, be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. This follows allegations of naira mutilation brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC arraigned Ejeh on a single-count charge, accusing him of tampering with Naira notes during a public event.

According to court documents, “TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while dancing at a social event, unlawfully tampered with Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by trampling on them, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

When the charge was read in court, Ejeh entered a plea of not guilty. In response, the prosecution, led by counsel S.I. Suleiman, requested a trial date and asked for the musician to remain in custody pending further court proceedings.

Ejeh’s defense lawyer, Felix Nwabuda, informed the court of a pending bail application filed on April 23, 2025. He appealed for a short adjournment to enable the hearing of the bail request. Additionally, Nwabuda sought the court’s permission for Ejeh to be temporarily released into his legal team’s custody, assuring that the defendant would be presented at future court sessions without fail.

“He returned from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025, and voluntarily honored the EFCC’s invitation,” Nwabuda stated.

Opposing the defense’s application, the prosecution counsel described the request as “alien and unheard of,” urging the court to allow proper time to study and respond to the application thoroughly.

Delivering a brief ruling, Justice Aluko rejected the defense’s plea for temporary release and adjourned the bail hearing to May 5, 2025. He further ordered that Terry Apala remain at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until the outcome of his bail proceedings.

For more details on the legal framework surrounding currency abuse, visit the official Central Bank of Nigeria Act .