A Federal High Court in Lagos has directed that popular hip-hop artist, Terry Alexander Ejeh, widely known as Terry Apala, be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until May 5, 2025, pending the hearing of his bail application.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Ejeh before Justice Akintayo Aluko on a one-count charge bordering on the alleged abuse of the Nigerian currency.
The EFCC accused the musician of trampling on naira notes while dancing during a social function at Madison Place, Oniru, located on Lagos Island.
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At the commencement of the proceedings, EFCC counsel, Sulaimon Sulaiman, informed the court of the charge and asked that it be read to the defendant so he could enter his plea. Upon reading the charge, Ejeh pleaded not guilty.
The EFCC maintained that the alleged act contravenes Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which prohibits any form of abuse of the national currency.
Following the plea, the prosecution sought a date for trial and requested that the court remand the defendant in custody.
However, defence counsel Felix Nwakbudu informed the court that a bail application had already been filed earlier that morning and served on the prosecution.
He urged the court to permit him to move the application. The EFCC prosecutor objected, stating that he had only just received the application and needed adequate time to review and respond.
Justice Aluko, in his ruling, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre until the bail application is heard.
The judge also granted an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned proceedings to May 5, 2025.
Breakingng.com recalls that in April 2024, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was accused of defacing the naira by allegedly throwing banknotes into the air — a practice known locally as “spraying” — during a movie premiere in Lagos.
Bobrisky was found guilty and sentenced to six months in prison and was released after serving his jail sentence in Lagos.
