Terry Apala has shared the painful details of his time at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, where he was detained for over a month after being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged naira mutilation
In an interview with Hip TV, the artist recounted how what started as a routine encounter with the EFCC turned into a long, distressing ordeal.
“When we got to the EFCC, they collected my phone. I thought it was just going to be the normal process — write a statement, pay the penalty, and go. My lawyer was trying to talk to them, but they said they would have to detain me. I still thought maybe two or three days and I’d be out,” he said.
He explained that he was later charged with naira mutilation and pleaded not guilty, believing the issue would be quickly resolved. Unfortunately, the judge handling his case went on vacation, leaving him remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre for several weeks.
“I was there for three weeks and some days. One of the officers even asked what I was still doing there for a naira mutilation case. I got depressed. I couldn’t eat. I kept wondering why my own case was taking so long. Things were happening outside, and I was just there doing nothing,” he recalled.
Terry revealed that during his time in detention, he grew increasingly frustrated with social media commentator VeryDarkMan, who had initially made the video that triggered public attention and reportedly contributed to his arrest.
“Honestly, during that period, I was angry with VeryDarkMan. I was swearing for him. Bro, you’re not even sure of this thing, and you just posted. Me and DJ Tunes paid that person, and they carried the matter like that,” he said.
The singer said he felt deeply hurt being portrayed as a criminal for what he described as a misunderstanding, adding that his stay in prison was mentally draining and traumatizing.
Terry Apala was arrested after a video surfaced showing him stepping on naira notes at a Lagos party, leading to charges under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, which prohibits the abuse of the national currency.
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You confessed to it deal with it