Hip-hop star Terry Apala jailed for dancing on naira: celebrity fun or national disgrace?

DDM News

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the remand of musician Terry Apala at Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

The ruling came after his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on one count of naira abuse  as gathered by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM).

The court ruled that Apala, whose real name is Terry Alexander Ejeh, will remain in custody until May 5, 2025.

He was accused of stepping on naira notes while dancing during a social event at Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos Island.

The EFCC alleges that Apala violated the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which prohibits tampering with the nation’s currency.

During the hearing, EFCC counsel Sulaimon Sulaiman asked the court to read the charge to the defendant for his plea.

Apala pleaded not guilty to the single charge brought against him by the anti-graft agency.

Following the plea, Sulaiman requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in correctional custody.

Defense counsel Felix Nwabudu informed the court that a bail application had already been filed for the defendant.

Nwabudu stated that the prosecution had received the bail application earlier that morning and was aware of its contents.

He pleaded with the court to allow the hearing of the bail application on the same day.

The EFCC prosecutor, however, objected, saying he needed time to study the application and file a proper response.

Justice Akintayo Aluko agreed with the prosecution and postponed the bail hearing to allow time for adequate preparation.

He ordered that Apala be remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the outcome of the bail application.

The judge also called for an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned proceedings until May 5, 2025.

The charge reads that Apala tampered with the naira by marching on it during a January 5, 2025 event.

This act, according to the EFCC, violates Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007.

The section criminalizes any form of defacing, abusing, or mishandling of Nigeria’s legal tender.

Terry Apala is known for blending traditional Apala music with modern hip-hop to create a unique musical style.

The incident has sparked widespread reactions, with some calling the prosecution excessive and others supporting enforcement of currency laws.

This high-profile case could set a legal precedent on how celebrities are held accountable for symbolic national violations.

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