Ghanaian dancehall star Charles Nii Armah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, has found himself at the center of controversy after Ghanaian authorities seized his luxury car in connection with a US fraud investigation. The bright yellow 2019 Lamborghini Urus, valued at $150,000 (approximately KSh 23 million), was surrendered to Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) following a request from US law enforcement agencies.
The vehicle is allegedly linked to proceeds of crime involving Ghanaian national Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently serving an 86-month (7-year) jail term in the United States for fraud. According to US court records, Amuah and his co-conspirators impersonated vendors to defraud nearly 70 public and private entities across the US, siphoning millions into accounts controlled by shell companies. The Lamborghini was reportedly one of the assets flagged for restitution as part of Amuah’s $4.7 million repayment to victims.
Shatta Wale, however, has vehemently denied any knowledge or connection with Amuah, stating he is merely a third-party owner of the vehicle. “I don’t know who shipped it to the country,” the award-winning artist said, asserting that he had legally purchased the car and provided all necessary documentation to the authorities.
The seizure sparked a social media outcry from Wale, who criticized the manner in which EOCO officers executed the operation. “Bringing guns to my house was uncalled for,” he posted, accusing the agency’s chief executive of humiliation. EOCO responded by stating that their officers were following standard safety protocol and that the vehicle was retrieved without incident.
Eventually, Wale was allowed to personally surrender the vehicle, which now remains in EOCO’s custody. US authorities, including the FBI and Department of Justice, are expected to file a formal request for the Lamborghini’s repatriation under mutual legal assistance agreements.
Shatta Wale, best known internationally for his collaboration with Beyoncé on “Already” from The Lion King: The Gift, maintains his innocence and continues to question the basis of the car’s seizure.
