By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on Friday, ordered the remand of hip-hop musician Terry Alexander Ejeh, popularly known as Terry Apala, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until May 5, 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 abuse of the naira by matching on it while dancing during a social event at Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos Island.
EFCC counsel, Sulaimon Sulaiman, informed the Court about the pendency of a charge pressed against the defendant and urged the court to order that the charge be read so that the defendant can take his plea.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, consequent upon which Sulaimon asked for a trial date and the remand of the defendant in the custody of the facility of the Nigeria Correctional Centre.
However, counsel to Ejeh, Felix Nwabudu informed justice Aluko of a pending bail application filed on behalf of the defendant.
Nwabudu stated that the prosecution has been served with copy of the bail summon this morning and pleaded with the court to allow him to move the application.
The prosecutor however, opposed hearing of the bail application on the ground that he had just been served in court few hours before the court sitting and would need time to study the application and make appropriate response.
Justice Aluko in his ruling on the counsel submissions, ordered the remand of the defendant at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of the his bail application.
The trial judge while ordering accelerated hearing of the trial, adjourned the matter till May 5th ,2025 for trial.
The charge against the defendant reads:
“That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January 2025 at Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with Naira currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by match’ng on it and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”