Ghanaian dancehall superstar Shatta Wale has been detained by Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in connection with the purchase of a luxury Lamborghini allegedly tied to the proceeds of a major US fraud case.
Authorities confirmed that the 2019 Lamborghini Urus, a bright yellow SUV valued at $150,000 (£110,000), was seized earlier this month at the request of the US Justice Department.
Investigators claim the car is connected to Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian national serving a seven-year prison sentence in the US for a $4 million fraud scheme.
EOCO said Wale, born Charles Nii Armah Mensah, voluntarily reported to their Accra offices on Wednesday for questioning.
He was subsequently granted bail of 10 million Ghanaian cedis (approximately £675,000), but authorities said he would remain in custody until the bail conditions were fully verified.
Wale Denies Fraud Links
The 38-year-old artist, who rose to international fame after collaborating with Beyoncé on her 2019 The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack, denied knowing Amuah or having any connection to his crimes.
“I am a third-party owner of this car. I do not know who shipped it to Ghana,” Wale reportedly told investigators.
His management released a statement insisting his detention was related to “tax obligations” rather than fraud allegations, and urged fans to avoid speculation while his legal team works with authorities.
Fans Rally in Support
Outside EOCO’s headquarters in Accra, a small crowd of Shatta Wale’s supporters gathered in solidarity, chanting his name and demanding his release.
Despite the controversy, the singer remains one of Ghana’s most influential and polarizing entertainers, known for both his chart-topping hits and frequent brushes with authorities.
Wider Fraud Network Under Probe
EOCO confirmed that the seized Lamborghini will likely be returned to the United States to assist in restitution for Amuah’s victims.
US court records show Amuah and his accomplices impersonated vendors to defraud nearly 70 public and private institutions in the United States.
The investigation into Wale comes amid a broader crackdown on transnational fraud. Earlier this month, three Ghanaian nationals accused of orchestrating a $100 million global fraud scheme involving romance scams and phishing attacks were extradited to the US following a joint FBI and EOCO operation.
What Comes Next
While Wale has not been formally charged with fraud, his detention raises questions about celebrity accountability and the reach of US-Ghana cooperation in financial crime investigations.
For now, EOCO has confirmed that Wale’s Lamborghini remains impounded and that further updates will depend on the progress of the joint probe.
