Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in partnership with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice, has seized a luxury 2019 Lamborghini Urus from popular Ghanaian dancehall star Charles Nii Armah Mensah, widely known as Shatta Wale.
The seizure followed a formal request from the FBI and U.S. Justice Department in 2023, which led to a sanctioned search of the artiste’s residence in Trassaco Valley Phase 1, Accra. The operation was carried out by EOCO’s Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit (SARU).
According to a statement released on Tuesday by EOCO’s acting Executive Director, Raymond Archer, and shared by Joy News on X, the vehicle was linked by U.S. authorities to illicit proceeds connected to one Nana Kwabena Amuah — a Ghanaian national currently serving an 86-month prison sentence in the United States for multiple financial crimes.
The Lamborghini, reportedly found in Shatta Wale’s possession, was surrendered to EOCO without confrontation. The artiste was said to have pleaded with the operatives to avoid publicizing the seizure, citing the car’s importance to his public image and brand. As a result, he was given the opportunity to hand over the vehicle voluntarily.
“The officers conducted the search and seizure professionally and without incident,” EOCO’s statement read. “Nii Armah expressed concern that public knowledge of the seizure would damage his image. He was therefore allowed to turn over the vehicle himself.”
The anti-graft agency confirmed that armed officers were present during the search, noting that it was a routine safety measure during field operations.
Furthermore, EOCO noted that U.S. authorities are taking steps to retrieve the vehicle as part of a $4.7 million restitution order involving Amuah. A formal Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request is expected to be made to the Ghanaian government to facilitate the repatriation.
Shatta Wale and a former senior officer of the National Signal Bureau (NSB) have both been identified as persons of interest in the case and are expected to be invited for further questioning.
EOCO added that once the investigation is completed, a final report may be shared with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the ongoing cooperation.
In response to the operation, Shatta Wale took to social media with a series of posts criticizing EOCO’s approach. In one post, he accused EOCO boss Raymond Archer of overstepping, stating, “Raymond Archer, EOCO Boss, you go make NDC go out of power next 4 years. Bringing guns to my house was uncalled for.”
In another, he wrote: “EOCO boss, the president of Ghana didn’t put you in that office to come and humiliate the citizens of this country. Remember, God no sleep.”
