Ghanaian Musician Shatta Wale Interrogated By EOCO And Granted Bail

ACCRA, Aug 21 (MUZICGH) – Ghanaian dancehall star Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, has been granted bail after being questioned by Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in connection with a luxury car allegedly tied to a $4 million fraud case in the United States.

EOCO said in a statement that Wale was invited to assist investigations into a 2019 yellow Lamborghini Urus that U.S. authorities identified as part of assets linked to convicted Ghanaian fraudster Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is serving a jail term in the U.S. for wire fraud.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Justice Department requested EOCO’s cooperation to trace and seize the vehicle, which they alleged was bought with illicit funds. EOCO officials said the car was confiscated in Ghana earlier this year after being traced to Wale.

 

Bail and Interrogation

Wale reported to EOCO’s Accra headquarters on August 20 after an earlier appointment was rescheduled. He arrived around 3 p.m. and refused to cooperate until his lawyer was present, the agency said. The interrogation lasted until about 9 p.m., after which he was granted bail of GHC 10 million ($913,242.01) with two sureties.

Officers said the musician could only leave custody once the sureties were inspected and approved.

According to EOCO, Wale was unable to provide the identity of the individual who sold him the car. He reportedly told investigators that he bought it “from the street” through someone identified only as “ZAK” who contacted him via WhatsApp. He added that he no longer had the person’s contact details.

Authorities said the only documentation Wale possessed was a customs declaration in the name of Amuah, the jailed fraud convict. He had no receipt or transfer papers proving ownership or purchase of the Lamborghini.

 

U.S. Court Order

On August 15, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky ordered the forfeiture of substitute assets tied to Amuah’s crime, authorising the U.S. government to claim the Lamborghini in Ghana as restitution.

EOCO said its investigations form part of a wider probe into possible Ghanaian accomplices in Amuah’s scheme and the recovery of assets from the fraud, which targeted U.S. victims.

Public Claim Sparked Probe

The investigation began after Wale publicly claimed earlier this month that he had purchased the Lamborghini for $150,000. Following the claim, EOCO summoned him for questioning to clarify the transaction.

The case has drawn widespread attention in Ghana, where Wale is one of the country’s most influential and controversial musicians. Neither EOCO nor Wale’s legal team has commented further on whether charges may follow.