The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) is set to invite Ghanaian dancehall musician Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, and a former senior officer of the National Signal Bureau (NSB), in connection with an ongoing investigation involving a luxury vehicle reportedly acquired through criminal proceeds.
The two have been identified as persons of interest following the seizure of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus, believed to be linked to the criminal enterprise of Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian currently serving an 86-month prison sentence in the United States for a series of financial crimes.
EOCO confirmed that the vehicle, which was being used by Shatta Wale, was seized in June this year during a search operation at a residence in Trassaco Valley Phase 1, Accra. The operation was conducted by EOCO’s Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) based on a formal request submitted in 2023 by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the United States Department of Justice.
While the name of the former NSB officer remains undisclosed, both individuals are expected to assist EOCO with its investigations in the coming days.
Officials described the search as “professional and civil” and clarified that officers from SARU were armed during the operation in line with “standard safety protocol practice for the safety of officers.”
During the seizure, Shatta Wale reportedly pleaded with the officers to keep the development away from the public, saying, “the vehicle was a big part of his brand, and if his supporters saw the vehicle being driven away in the company of EOCO, it would destroy his brand.”
In response to this plea, EOCO allowed the artist to personally hand over the vehicle, which is now in their custody.
According to the U.S. authorities, the Lamborghini is tied to the illegal activities of Nana Kwabena Amuah, who was convicted in October 2023 for conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was part of a scheme that defrauded nearly 70 public and private organisations, attempting to steal close to $4 million, which was funneled through fake companies, including one named Gretson Company LLC.
Prosecutors in the U.S. revealed that 24-year-old Shimea Maret McDonald, who had over 40 fake IDs, worked alongside Amuah and helped in moving and laundering the funds through shell companies. She has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
“This crime deprived businesses of their operating funds and caused significant harm to the well-being of the people who own and run those companies,” said U.S. prosecutor Kathryn Dieruf during proceedings.
In court, Amuah made a final appeal, saying, “I ask for a second chance, and I promise you will never see me in this courtroom again.” But U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, while delivering the sentence, remarked that “the crimes he helped commit were incredibly serious.”
EOCO has indicated that the FBI and the Justice Department are preparing a formal Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request to the Government of Ghana for the return of the Lamborghini as part of Amuah’s court-ordered restitution of $4,743,443.
The Ghanaian crime office also stated that it may share its final investigative report with the FBI and U.S. Justice Department as part of its ongoing international cooperation.
Meanwhile, Shatta Wale has broken silence over the matter. He has denied any link to a criminal ring over his Lamborghini acquisition.
Shatta Wale denies any link to criminal ring over his Lamborghini acquisition
📹: SIKA Official #TIGPost
Melcom | Smiling Mafia | Charles Nii Armah | pic.twitter.com/f13Wg7JFMB— TIG Post (@tigpost_) August 6, 2025
