Singer Terry Apala Remanded by Lagos Court for  Naira Abuse 

 

Nigerian singer Terry Apala, born Terry Alexander Ejeh, has been remanded in a Correctional Centre by the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged mutilation of the Naira notes.

 

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The case was presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko on Friday, April 25, 2025. Terry Apala was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge related to the alleged abuse of Nigerian currency.

 

According to the EFCC, the offence took place on January 5, 2025, during a social event at La Madison Place, Oniru, where Terry Apala allegedly marched on Naira notes while dancing, a violation of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

 

The official charge reads:

 

> “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…”

 

 

 

The singer pleaded not guilty when the charge was read.

 

EFCC prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in custody. However, Felix Nwabuda, Terry Apala’s legal representative, informed the court of a bail application dated April 23, 2025, and sought a short date for the hearing. He appealed for the singer’s temporary release, noting that Terry returned from the UK voluntarily and had been cooperative with the EFCC.

 

Suleiman, however, opposed the motion, calling it “alien and unheard of,” and requested time to formally respond to the bail application.

 

The court has yet to set a hearing date for the bail application or trial.

 

This incident adds to a growing list of celebrities facing legal scrutiny for violating currency handling laws in Nigeria, reflecting the EFCC’s increasing focus on public figures as examples in upholding financial discipline.