The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) confirmed that Wale, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah, surrendered to authorities in Accra on Wednesday. He was questioned over a yellow 2019 Lamborghini Urus that U.S. officials allege was purchased with proceeds of a $4 million criminal scheme.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Justice Department have linked the vehicle to Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian national serving a seven-year sentence in the United States for fraud. Court filings showed Amuah and accomplices posed as legitimate vendors to defraud nearly 70 organisations across the country.
EOCO said the Lamborghini would be repatriated to the U.S. to help compensate Amuah’s victims.
Wale, one of Ghana’s best-known musicians and a past collaborator with Beyoncé, has denied any links to Amuah. He described himself as a “third-party owner” of the vehicle, which was valued at about $150,000, and insisted he had no knowledge of its original importer.
His management issued a separate statement that attributed his detention to “tax obligations,” without mentioning U.S. allegations.
After questioning, EOCO granted the artist bail set at 10 million cedis ($913,242.01). The agency said he would remain in custody until sureties were confirmed. A group of supporters gathered outside EOCO’s offices in Accra during the proceedings, chanting in solidarity with Shatta Wale.
The case comes as Ghanaian authorities deepen cooperation with U.S. investigators to curb cross-border fraud. Earlier this month, three Ghanaian nationals accused of running a $100 million scheme involving romance and phishing attacks were extradited to face charges in the United States.
Wale, 39, rose to prominence by adapting Jamaican dancehall to Ghana’s music scene. His international profile surged in 2019 when he appeared on Beyoncé’s “The Lion King: The Gift album.”
His legal team has urged fans to avoid speculation while the matter is resolved.
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