LAGOS, Nigeria — On April 25, 2025, hip-hop musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, known as Terry Apala, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a Lagos Federal High Court. The charge against him is for abusing the naira by trampling on the currency during a dance at a social event held at Madison Place, Oniru.
The court ordered that Ejeh be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until his bail application could be addressed on May 5, 2025. Justice Akintayo Aluko presided over the arraignment, where EFCC lawyer Sulaimon Sulaiman presented the case, outlining the charge under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.
According to the EFCC, the alleged incident occurred on January 5, 2025, when Ejeh danced over the naira notes. When the charge was read to him in court, he pleaded not guilty.
Sulaiman requested that a trial date be set and that Ejeh be remanded in custody. Ejeh’s lawyer, Felix Nwakbudu, informed the court about a bail application already submitted and urged the court to allow him to present it. However, the prosecutor opposed the request, stating he had only received the application a few hours before the court session and needed more time to review it.
Justice Aluko decided to remand Ejeh until the bail application could be fully heard and resolved. He ordered an expedited hearing of the case and scheduled the next court appearance for May 5, 2025.
The charge against Ejeh reflects concerns over currency abuse, highlighting the importance of maintaining respect for Nigerian currency. The musician’s situation has sparked conversations around social behavior at public events and its legal ramifications. As the case progresses, many will be watching to see how it unfolds and what precedents it may set.
