On Friday, April 25, 2025, Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the remand of musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, in a Correctional Centre following 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 concerning the alleged mutilation of Naira notes. The charge states: “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.”
Upon being read the charges, Ejeh pleaded not guilty. In light of his plea, prosecution counsel S.I. Suleiman requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre.
Defence counsel Felix Nwabuda informed the court of a bail application dated April 23, 2025, and sought a prompt hearing of the application. He stated, “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.”
In response, the prosecution counsel opposed the bail application, asserting, “the application is 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.”
Justice Aluko delivered a brief ruling, denying the defence’s application. The court has adjourned the case until May 5, 2025, and ordered the remand of the defendant in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the resolution of the bail application.
