Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has disclosed new details about dancehall star Shatta Wale’s reaction when officials came to seize his Lamborghini Urus, revealing that the artist made a personal request to protect his public image.
The Private Plea
According to an official EOCO statement, Charles Nii Armah Mensah – known professionally as Shatta Wale – specifically asked officers to handle the vehicle seizure discreetly. The artist expressed concern that public knowledge of the seizure would damage his brand, particularly since the luxury vehicle had become closely associated with his image.
The statement indicated that Shatta Wale was worried about his fans and the general public seeing the alleged stolen vehicle “being driven away in the company of EOCO,” fearing the negative impact on his reputation.
Accommodation and Response
EOCO officials accommodated the artist’s request, allowing him to voluntarily surrender the 2019 Lamborghini Urus rather than having it publicly removed. The vehicle is now in EOCO’s custody as part of ongoing investigations.
International Connections
The seizure stems from an international investigation linking the luxury SUV to criminal proceeds. EOCO stated that the FBI and US Justice Department have connected the vehicle to Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently serving an 86-month prison sentence in the United States for multiple financial crimes.
The FBI and Justice Department initially requested the investigation into Shatta Wale’s Lamborghini in 2023, with plans to formally request the vehicle’s return to the US as part of Amuah’s $4.7 million restitution order.
Artist’s Counterattack
Despite the accommodating approach EOCO claims to have taken, Shatta Wale publicly criticized the operation on social media. In an August 5 Facebook post, he accused EOCO’s Acting Executive Director Raymond Archer of conducting an inappropriate armed raid on his residence.
The artist specifically objected to the presence of weapons during the operation, calling it unnecessary intimidation.
EOCO’s Defense
Responding to these allegations, EOCO maintained that their officers conducted themselves professionally throughout the operation. They explained that carrying weapons during such operations is standard protocol for the Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit to ensure officer safety.
The organization emphasized that the search and seizure occurred without any incidents, contradicting the artist’s claims of aggressive tactics.
Ongoing Legal Process
The case highlights the complex intersection of international crime investigations and local celebrity culture. As the formal Mutual Legal Assistance request proceeds, the seized Lamborghini represents just one piece of a larger financial crimes puzzle spanning two continents.
The situation demonstrates how international law enforcement cooperation can unexpectedly impact high-profile figures, even when they may be unwitting participants in larger criminal schemes.
