Afrobeat and Apala artist Terry Apala, whose real name is Terry Alexander Ejeh, is being held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over the weekend.
This followed a remand order issued by a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, April 25, 2025.
The court’s decision came after his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a single charge related to the alleged mishandling of Nigerian currency at a social gathering earlier in the year. Justice Akintayo Aluko presided over the hearing.
According to the EFCC, Terry Apala allegedly trampled on several naira notes while dancing at Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos Island, an act considered a violation of Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
During Friday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel, Sulaimon Sulaiman, urged the court to read the charge to the defendant, prompting Terry Apala to plead not guilty.
The charge sheet partly reads: “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.”
Following his plea, Sulaiman requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in custody pending trial.
However, Terry Apala’s lawyer, Mr. Felix Nwakbudu, informed the court of a pending bail application filed on the artist’s behalf and served on the EFCC earlier that morning.
He appealed for the immediate hearing of the application.
Opposing the move, the EFCC’s lawyer said he needed time to properly review the application before responding.
Justice Aluko, thereafter, ruled that Terry Apala should be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre and scheduled the bail hearing for May 5, 2025.
Persecondnews reports that the singer remained behind bars throughout the weekend, awaiting the court’s decision on his bail application in the coming week.
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