EOCO Seizes Shatta Wale’s Lamborghini Over Links to US Financial Crimes

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has officially confirmed the seizure of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus from Ghanaian dancehall superstar Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, over links to an ongoing international financial crime investigation.

The seizure was carried out at the musician’s residence in Trassaco Valley Phase 1, Accra, as part of a collaborative operation with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice. EOCO says the luxury vehicle has been identified as proceeds of crime committed by a Ghanaian national currently imprisoned in the United States.

According to EOCO’s Acting Executive Director, Raymond Archer, the car was traced to Nana Kwabena Amuah, a man who is currently serving an 86-month prison sentence in the United States for committing several financial crimes, including wire fraud and money laundering.

“In June this year, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, acting on a 2023 request from the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Justice Department, undertook an operation which led to a lawful search in a home at Trassaco Valley Phase 1, in Accra,” EOCO stated.

“The operation, carried out by the Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) of EOCO, led to the discovery and seizure of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus which the FBI and the Justice Department have identified as one of the assets acquired with proceeds from the criminal enterprise of Nana Kwabena Amuah.”

EOCO confirmed that the vehicle was found in the possession of Shatta Wale, who reportedly cooperated with officers during the search. The statement added that while the operation was carried out with armed SARU officers — a standard procedure for such high-profile seizures — there was no confrontation or resistance from the artist.

“The car was seized from one Charles Nii Armah, aka Shatta Wale. The officers were professional and civil, and the search and seizure occurred without incident,” the statement read.

It further revealed that Shatta Wale pleaded with EOCO officials not to publicise the seizure, expressing concerns about the impact on his brand and public image. He was therefore allowed to surrender the vehicle voluntarily rather than have it driven away in an EOCO convoy.

“Nii Armah had pleaded with officers that he did not want the seizure to be made public because the vehicle was a big part of his brand. He feared public backlash if the public saw EOCO driving away his car. As a result, he was permitted to surrender the car himself. The Lamborghini is now in EOCO’s custody,” the statement added.

EOCO emphasized that Ghanaian authorities remain committed to upholding international standards in financial crime investigations, and cooperation with agencies such as the FBI is critical to combating cross-border crime. The seizure forms part of Ghana’s growing commitment to assist international partners in asset recovery efforts.

The development has placed Shatta Wale under further scrutiny, as EOCO revealed that both he and a former senior officer of the National Signals Bureau (NSB) have been designated as persons of interest in the ongoing investigation. They are expected to be invited in the coming days to assist with further inquiries.

“Charles Nii Armah aka Shatta Wale and a former senior officer of the National Signal Bureau have been assessed as persons of interest and will be invited by EOCO to assist in further ongoing investigations. EOCO may share the final investigation report with the FBI and the Justice Department as part of our continued cooperation,” the agency said.

Meanwhile, Shatta Wale has taken to social media to express his displeasure over the operation. In a Facebook livestream, the artist accused EOCO of storming his home in an “armed raid” and directed harsh criticism at EOCO’s Executive Director, Raymond Archer. He claimed the incident could tarnish the image of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), under which EOCO’s current leadership was appointed.

“Mahama didn’t appoint you to humiliate citizens!” Shatta Wale said in his video, adding that he has done nothing wrong and that the car was legitimately acquired.

As public debate grows over celebrity lifestyles, money laundering, and law enforcement, EOCO has assured Ghanaians that investigations will be conducted fairly and in accordance with the law. The agency has also reminded the public that any assets linked to criminal enterprises — regardless of who is in possession — are subject to seizure.

Further updates are expected in the coming days as EOCO intensifies its investigations with the assistance of its international partners.