Prominent Ghanaian musician, Shatta Wale has been detained in connection with a tax investigation tied to the seizure of a luxury car in the United States.
- Ghanaian musician Shatta Wale has been detained in connection with a tax investigation and the seizure of a luxury car linked to a criminal case.
- The vehicle, a 2019 Lamborghini Urus, is associated with a $4 million fraud scheme orchestrated by Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is serving a U.S. prison sentence.
- Ghanaian authorities and U.S. officials are coordinating efforts to address financial crimes and recover assets linked to fraudulent activities.
- Wale’s management clarified that his detention focuses on tax compliance issues rather than direct involvement in the fraud scheme.
Ghanaian authorities have confirmed the detention of Wale, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah, following the seizure of a high-end luxury car allegedly linked to the proceeds of a criminal enterprise, according to U.S. reports.
The network is said to involve another Ghanaian, Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in the United States for fraud.
According to the BBC, U.S. court records indicate that Amuah is accused of impersonating multiple vendors to defraud nearly 70 public and private organizations across the country.
Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has stated that the Lamborghini will be returned to the U.S. to aid in the restitution of Amuah’s victims.
While the U.S. has highlighted its suspicions of illicit activity, the musician’s management stated that the detention in Ghana focuses solely on unpaid taxes and compliance with local financial regulations.
In a statement posted on social media, Wale’s team said he had “presented himself voluntarily” to the EOCO on Wednesday afternoon.
The case highlights the growing collaboration between Ghanaian and U.S. authorities in tracking high-value assets and enforcing tax obligations, as part of broader efforts to curb illicit financial flows and ensure accountability among high-profile individuals.
This month, the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice also extradited and arrested three Ghanaian nationals accused of masterminding a $100 million fraud scheme involving romance scams and phishing attacks, underscoring the intensifying cross-border crackdown on financial crimes connected to Ghana.
EOCO clarifies arrest
Shatta Wale’s arrest has been confirmed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), which accused the musician of irregularities in the purchase of his luxury vehicle.
Following the seizure of his Lamborghini earlier earlier in May in connection with Nana Kwabena Amuah, the musician denied any knowledge of or involvement with the Ghanaian.
He stated that he was merely a “third-party owner” of the $150,000 (£110,000) vehicle and was unaware of who had shipped it to the country.
Authorities have indicated that the car will be returned to the United States to aid in the restitution of Amuah’s victims.
In a statement, EOCO said that while Shatta Wale insists he legitimately purchased the 2019 Lamborghini Urus, he has been unable to provide supporting documentation.
“Charles Nii Armah Mensah has been unable to identify the person from whom he purchased the Lamborghini Urus, stating only that he bought it from the ‘street’ and from someone possibly called ‘Zak’ who may have contacted him via WhatsApp. He claims not to know this person’s identity and says he discarded the contact,” the statement read.
EOCO further revealed that the musician has failed to prove ownership, providing no receipt or transfer documents for the vehicle, apart from a customs declaration form listing Nana Kwabena Amuah who is currently serving a prison sentence in the United States.
According to EOCO, the 2019 Lamborghini Urus has been flagged by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the proceeds of a $4 million fraud scheme involving Amuah.
