On a humid Wednesday afternoon in Accra, the usually bustling streets near Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) took on a new energy. Hundreds of fans, some draped in Ghanaian flags and others in Shatta Movement T-shirts, gathered outside the EOCO building, chanting and vowing not to leave until their hero, Charles Nii Armah Mensah—better known as Shatta Wale—was released. The acclaimed dancehall artist had just been arrested as part of a United States investigation into the purchase of a striking yellow 2019 Lamborghini Urus, a case that has quickly become a lightning rod for national attention and international intrigue.
Shatta Wale’s arrest on August 20, 2025, was confirmed the next day by EOCO, which stated that the action was taken at the request of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice. According to EOCO and reporting by AFP, the luxury vehicle was allegedly bought with proceeds from a $4 million U.S. fraud case. The Lamborghini, seized earlier in the year, is subject to a U.S. District Court order from the Eastern District of Kentucky authorizing the American government to take possession of the car in Ghana as compensation for victims of the fraud.
The probe is part of a wider U.S. investigation involving Ghanaian national Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently serving a seven-year sentence in the United States for fraud. U.S. court records, cited by BBC News, reveal that Amuah and his co-conspirators impersonated vendors to defraud nearly 70 public and private organizations, netting millions. The Lamborghini at the center of the current controversy was identified by the FBI and U.S. Justice Department as being directly connected to Amuah’s criminal activities.
Shatta Wale, one of Ghana’s most celebrated and influential musicians, voluntarily presented himself at EOCO’s offices for questioning. The artist, whose career has soared thanks to his unique take on Jamaica’s dancehall sound and collaborations with global stars like Beyoncé, faced a grilling on the origins of the Lamborghini. He reportedly told investigators he purchased the car for $150,000 from the “street,” possibly through a WhatsApp contact named “Zak,” whose identity he could not provide. “I am a third-party owner,” Shatta Wale insisted, according to BBC News, “and I did not know who shipped it to the country.” He further denied any connection or knowledge of Amuah, the convicted fraudster at the heart of the U.S. case.
Despite his explanations, EOCO noted that Shatta Wale has not produced documentation proving ownership of the Lamborghini. The agency said it acted on direct requests from U.S. authorities to track the vehicle and pursue leads locally, as Ghana works with the U.S. to dismantle an international fraud network targeting Americans. In recent weeks, the FBI and U.S. Justice Department have extradited and arrested three additional Ghanaian nationals, believed to be masterminds behind a $100 million global fraud scheme involving romance scams and phishing attacks.
After hours of questioning, Shatta Wale was granted bail on Thursday, August 21. Initially, the bond was set at 10 million Ghanaian cedis (about $910,000), but it was later reduced to 5 million cedis with two sureties, according to Citi News. The musician’s management said he was eventually released after paying a further reduced bail of $454,000. As a condition of his bail, Shatta Wale is required to report to EOCO three times a week while investigations continue.
The arrest and subsequent detention of Shatta Wale sent shockwaves through Ghana’s entertainment industry and his vast fanbase. Outside EOCO’s offices, the crowd’s devotion was palpable. “Until our king walks out, we won’t move—even if we sleep here,” one fan told AFP, echoing the resolve of many who see Shatta Wale as more than just an entertainer but as a cultural icon and symbol of resilience.
In a live Instagram broadcast following his release, Shatta Wale expressed deep gratitude to his supporters. “I want to say thank you to my management team… Everybody has been supportive with this and to you the fans, I owe you a beautiful concert one of these days because you guys have been supportive,” he said, promising to reward their loyalty with a special event. He also acknowledged the fans who had kept vigil outside EOCO: “I heard some of you came there from morning and you didn’t want to leave but as you have seen my video you should know Shatta is safe, your king is safe, One Don is safe. I am home now and I want to say a big thank you for supporting me, for being around me in times like this because I needed you guys the most. You guys are the ones that hold me down.”
Shatta Wale was equally effusive in his praise for EOCO staff and its Executive Director, Mr. Raymond Archer, commending their professionalism and fairness throughout the ordeal. “To all the staff of EOCO, you guys have been wonderful. At least I came there, you guys really took me through the rightful processes that were needed and I just want to say God bless you,” he remarked. Addressing Mr. Archer directly, he added, “To Mr. Raymond Archer, I just want to tell you I thank you so much for your understanding. I thank you so much for cooperating.”
Meanwhile, Shatta Wale’s legal team has maintained that he bought the Lamborghini in good faith, denying any knowledge of its criminal origins. His management released a statement urging fans to remain calm and avoid speculation: “We want to assure all fans and the general public that his legal team is fully engaged and actively working with the authorities to resolve this matter.”
EOCO, for its part, has reiterated that the seizure of Shatta Wale’s Lamborghini is part of a broader operation to assist the U.S. in compensating victims of international fraud. The agency previously stated that the car would be returned to the U.S. as part of the restitution process, though the timeline for this remains unclear as investigations continue.
As the saga unfolds, the case has raised broader questions about the reach of international law enforcement, the vulnerability of global luxury markets to criminal proceeds, and the challenges faced by celebrities navigating the intersection of fame, wealth, and legal scrutiny. For now, Shatta Wale is back home, his freedom secured—at least temporarily—by a hefty bail, the unwavering support of his fans, and the hope that the truth, whatever it may be, will eventually come to light.
