Musician Terry Apala remanded for allegedly damaging the Naira

Terry Apala, a Nigerian musician, was remanded to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over allegations of tearing a Naira note into pieces.

Terry Apala was accused of tampering with Naira notes during a social event on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos, by stepping on currency notes on the ground. He was arraigned on a one-count charge of Naira mutilation, an offense punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

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.”

Terry Apala pleaded not guilty to the charge. Whilst praying the court for a short date for the hearing of the bail application, his lawyer said, "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.”

The prosecution counsel, however, opposed the application, saying, “ 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,” he said.

In a brief ruling, Justice Aluko dismissed the defence’s application and adjourned the matter to May 5, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application.

The judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the bail proceedings.