A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday ordered the remand of hip-hop musician, Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until 5 May, 2025, when his bail application will be heard and determined.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Ejeh before Justice Akintayo Aluko on a one-count charge of abusing the naira by trampling on it while dancing during a social event held at Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos Island.
When the case was called, EFCC counsel, Sulaimon Sulaiman, informed the court about the pending charge and requested that it be read so the defendant could take his plea.
The charge was read to the defendant, and he pleaded not guilty.
According to EFCC, the offence committed is contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
Following the plea, the prosecution applied for a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Correctional Centre.
The counsel to the defendant, Felix Nwakbudu, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on Ejeh’s behalf.
He told the court that the prosecution had been served with a copy earlier in the morning and urged the court to allow him to move the application.
The prosecutor opposed the request, arguing that he had only just received the application and needed time to study it and prepare a response.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko ordered the remand of the defendant at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.
The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned the matter to 5 May, 2025, for trial.
