Popular Ghanaian musician Shatta Wale was briefly detained in Accra over his involvement with a luxury vehicle that has been linked to a US criminal investigation. Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (Eoco) confirmed that Wale voluntarily entered custody on Wednesday and was questioned regarding the yellow Lamborghini Urus, which had been seized earlier this month at the request of US authorities.
The US Justice Department and FBI alleged that the 2019 Lamborghini was connected to the proceeds of a $4 million fraud orchestrated by Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in the United States. Wale, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah, has denied any knowledge of or connection to Amuah. He described himself as a “third-party owner” of the $150,000 vehicle and claimed he was unaware of who had shipped it to Ghana.
While Wale’s management framed the detention as related to “tax obligations,” authorities have stressed that the seizure forms part of a wider effort to aid in the restitution of Amuah’s victims. Eoco stated that the Lamborghini will be returned to the US as part of the ongoing restitution process.
After his questioning, Wale was granted bail of 10 million Ghanaian cedis (approximately Sh117 million), which was later reduced to $454,000 (Sh58 million), allowing him to regain his freedom. Outside Eoco’s offices in Accra, a small crowd of Wale’s fans gathered to show support for the musician, waving placards and chanting in solidarity.
Shatta Wale has built a reputation as one of Ghana’s most successful artists, gaining international recognition through his dancehall hits and collaborations, including the 2019 track Already with global superstar Beyoncé.
The incident is part of a broader collaboration between Ghanaian authorities and the US aimed at dismantling an international fraud network targeting Americans. Earlier this month, three Ghanaian nationals were extradited and arrested in connection with a $100 million fraud scheme involving romance scams and phishing attacks, highlighting the scope of the operation.
Wale’s management has urged fans to remain calm and avoid speculation, assuring the public that his legal team is actively working with authorities to resolve the matter. The case underscores the increasingly global nature of financial crime and the complexities faced by authorities in tracing assets tied to international fraud networks.
