A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of popular Nigerian Afrobeat and Apala musician, Terry Alexander Ejeh, widely known as Terry Apala, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The development came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him on a charge of naira abuse.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, April 25, 2025, Justice Akintayo Aluko directed that the singer be held in custody until May 5, 2025, when the court will hear and determine his bail application. The case has since stirred public debate, especially among fans of the music star.
Terry Apala appeared before the court on a one-count charge filed against him by the EFCC, accusing him of trampling on the Nigerian currency while dancing during a social event at Madison Place, Oniru, on Lagos Island. Counsel to the anti-graft agency, Sulaimon Sulaiman, informed the court of the allegation and subsequently asked that the charge be read to the defendant.
“My Lord, we humbly request that the charge be read to the defendant to enable him take his plea,” Sulaiman said during the proceeding, emphasizing the gravity of the alleged offense.
The charge read against the musician stated: “That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January 2025 at Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with Naira currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by matching on it, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”
Upon hearing the charge, Terry Apala pleaded not guilty, maintaining his innocence. Following the plea, the EFCC counsel requested that the defendant be remanded, pending the commencement of trial.
However, Terry Apala’s legal representative, Felix Nwakbudu, stood to counter the prosecution’s request, notifying the court that a bail application had already been filed earlier on behalf of his client. “My Lord, we have filed and duly served the prosecution with our client’s bail application this morning,” Nwakbudu explained.
He urged the court to permit him to move the application immediately to avoid further hardship on the defendant, who he described as a public figure with strong ties to the community.
In response, EFCC counsel Sulaimon objected to the immediate hearing of the bail application, arguing that he required sufficient time to review the application and file a proper counter-affidavit.
“My Lord, we were only served this morning and will need reasonable time to respond appropriately,” Sulaiman said, insisting that due process must be followed.
Given the prosecution’s opposition, Justice Aluko upheld the request for more time, ordering that Terry Apala be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until the next hearing date.
Concluding the session, Justice Aluko emphasized the need for an expedited hearing of the case. “This court will prioritize the hearing of this matter to ensure swift justice,” he declared.
He adjourned the case to May 5, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application and possibly the commencement of trial.
As the musician was led away in custody, murmurs filled the courtroom, reflecting the intense public interest in the unfolding legal battle surrounding one of Nigeria’s vibrant music personalities.
