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A high court in Ikoyi has remanded Nigerian singer Terry Apala at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre after being charged with tampering with naira notes.
On Friday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that Apala was arraigned on a charge of naira mutilation under the Central Bank Act of 2007. According to the EFCC, the singer violated the law during a social gathering on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place in Oniru, where he allegedly stepped on naira notes.
The charge states: “That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on January 5, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, while engaging in dancing during a social event, willfully defaced Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by walking on them, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”
Apala pleaded not guilty to the charge. During the court proceedings, EFCC prosecutor S.I. Suleiman urged the judge to schedule a trial and remand Apala in custody. In contrast, Apala’s lawyer, Felix Nwabuda, requested a prompt hearing for bail, stressing that his client had returned voluntarily from the UK and had fully cooperated with the EFCC’s investigation.
“We guarantee he will appear in court,” Nwabuda assured, emphasizing that Apala had no intention of evading the trial.
Suleiman, however, opposed the bail application, describing it as unusual and seeking additional time to address it properly. The presiding judge, Akintayo Aluko, denied the bail request and ordered that Apala remain in custody at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. A date for the bail hearing has been set for May 5.
The EFCC’s crackdown on naira abuse has intensified, with the commission citing Section 21 of the CBN Act. This follows high-profile arrests in 2024, including that of social media influencer Bobrisky, who was charged with defacing naira notes, as well as socialite Cubana Chief Priest, who faced charges related to similar offenses.
#EFCC
#TerryApala
#NairaAbuse
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