Court Remands Hip-Hop Star Terry Apala for Naira Abuse

 A Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the remand of hip-hop artiste Terry Apala, born Gabriel Oye Taiwo, on April 24, 2025, for alleged naira abuse, following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 

The 37-year-old, known for hits like Apala Disco, faced charges under the Central Bank of Nigeria Act for spraying naira notes at a Lagos event, an act deemed currency mutilation, punishable by six months’ imprisonment or a ₦50,000 fine, per Vanguard. Justice Emeka Nwite denied bail, citing ongoing investigations, and set a hearing for May 10.

The EFCC, intensifying its crackdown post-2023 Bobrisky conviction, arrested Apala after a viral video showed him tossing ₦500 notes. Nigeria’s 26% inflation, per the IMF, has heightened scrutiny of currency misuse amid cash scarcity. Apala’s legal team argued the act was cultural, common at Yoruba events, but the EFCC cited 12 similar convictions in 2024.