Nigerian hip-hop musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, was on Friday remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, over alleged naira mutilation.

The singer allegedly stepped on the notes while dancing at an event in La Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos.

Terry Apala was arraigned before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court over a one-count charge of naira mutilation against him by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charge reads: “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.”

The singer pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution counsel, S.I. Sulaiman, thereafter applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.

However, Ejeh’s lawyer, Felix Nwakbudu, told the court that a bail application had already been filed on behalf of his client. He added that the EFCC had been served with the application and appealed to the court to allow him to present it.

“ 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,” Nwakbudu said.

EFCC’s counsel opposed the request, stating that he had just received the application shortly before the court session and would need time to study it and respond accordingly.

Justice Aluko, in a brief ruling, ordered that Ejeh be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

The judge also directed that the matter be heard expeditiously and adjourned the case till May 5, 2025, for trial.