Singer Terry Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, has been remanded in a correctional centre by a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos over alleged mutilation of naira notes.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the musician on Friday on a one-count charge of tampering with currency.
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 pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel S.I. Suleiman requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in custody.
Defence counsel Felix Nwabuda, however, informed the court that a bail application dated April 23 had already been filed and pleaded for a short date to hear the application.
“Whilst praying the court for a short date for the hearing of the bail application, I will be craving the indulgence of the court to release the defendant to the defence.
“We undertake to produce him in court. He will not evade hearing. He came in from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025; and on the invitation of the EFCC, he came on his own,” Nwabuda said.
In response, the prosecution opposed the request, describing it as “alien and unheard of.”
“I urge the court to afford us the opportunity to look at the application and respond properly so that the court can make a well-informed ruling,” Suleiman added.
Justice Akintayo Aluko turned down the request by the defence and ordered that Terry Apala be remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The matter was adjourned until May 5 for hearing of the bail application.
