Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office has released dancehall artist Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, on bail set at GH¢10 million, requiring two verified sureties.
According to Graphic Online, EOCO said on Thursday that the singer will remain detained until the sureties submit verifiable properties that matches with the bail terms.
Shatta Wale was called to EOCO’s office on Wednesday to aid investigations into the purchase of a Lamborghini Urus, reportedly connected to the proceeds of a $4 million crime linked to Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian currently serving a prison sentence in the United States.
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EOCO stated that after nearly four hours of questioning, the artist was unable to identify the seller of the vehicle, claiming only that he acquired it from the “street.”
The statement read, “So far, Charles Nii Armah Mensah has been unable to identify the person from whom he purchased the said Lamborghini Urus vehicle except to say that he purchased it from the ‘Street’ and from someone possibly called ‘ZAK’ who may have contacted him on WhatsApp but whose identity he does not know and whose contact he has thrown away.”
The agency further noted that the artist failed to provide any receipts or transfer documents to verify ownership, presenting only a Customs declaration form listing Amuah’s name.
Earlier in June, EOCO, in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice, conducted a search of Shatta Wale’s residence in Trassaco Valley, Accra.
The operation, carried out by EOCO’s Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit, resulted in the seizure of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus, reportedly linked to the criminal proceeds of Amuah, who is serving an 86-month prison sentence in the U.S.
The agency clarified that the vehicle was confiscated following a 2023 request from U.S. officials through a mutual legal assistance arrangement.
EOCO emphasised that, despite the officers being armed, the operation was conducted peacefully.
Shatta Wale was permitted to hand over the luxury car personally after arguing that a public seizure would damage his image, as the vehicle is a key part of his brand.
U.S. investigators are seeking the return of the seized vehicle to contribute to Amuah’s restitution, which totals nearly $4.7 million.
EOCO also revealed that Shatta Wale and a former senior officer of Ghana’s National Signal Bureau are regarded as persons of interest and may undergo additional questioning as the investigation progresses.
