Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 25, 2025, ordered the remand of musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over allegations of naira note mutilation.
Ejeh was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge bordering on the alleged offence.
According to the charge, “You, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while dancing at a social event, tampered with Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by trampling on them, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”
Ejeh pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in custody pending trial.
Meanwhile, defence counsel, Felix Nwabuda, informed the court of a pending bail application dated April 23, 2025, and sought a short adjournment to hear the application.
“Whilst praying the court for a short date for the hearing of the bail application, I also crave the indulgence of the court to release the defendant to the defence,” Nwabuda said.
“We undertake to produce him in court. He will not evade hearing. He came into the country from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025, and honoured the EFCC’s invitation voluntarily.”
However, the prosecution opposed the application, describing it as “alien and unheard of.”
“I urge the court to give us time to study the application and respond appropriately so the court can make a well-informed ruling,” Suleiman submitted.
In his brief ruling, Justice Aluko rejected the defence’s oral application, adjourned the matter until May 5, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application, and ordered that Ejeh be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail request.
