Shatta Wale’s Lamborghini Linked to US $4m Fraud; Granted GHC10m Bail by EOCO
By: Isaac Boamah Darko
Charles Nii Armah Mensah, the musician known as Shatta Wale, was questioned by officers of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in connection with a 2019 Lamborghini Urus that US authorities have identified as proceeds of a $4 million crime, EOCO said.
EOCO said the vehicle was identified by the FBI and the US Department of Justice as linked to a fraud involving one Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian currently serving a prison term in the United States. The matter forms part of a broader investigation into possible co‑conspirators and recovery of proceeds tied to the US case.
According to EOCO, following requests from the FBI and US Justice Department to trace the vehicle and probe potential links in Ghana, local investigators located and seized the Lamborghini in or around May 2025 in the possession of Charles Nii Armah Mensah.
A United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Central Division of Lexington, on August 15, 2025, issued an order forfeiting the Lamborghini as a substitute asset, authorising the US government to take possession of the vehicle in Ghana as restitution.
EOCO said it invited Mensah to its offices to assist with inquiries after the musician publicly claimed on August 5, 2025 that he had purchased the car for US$150,000 from an unidentified party. Mensah was asked to report on August 13; that appointment was rescheduled for August 20 at 10:00 a.m.
EOCO said Mensah’s lawyers requested an 11:00 a.m. arrival and EOCO adjusted the schedule. Mensah arrived about 3:00 p.m. and insisted on waiting for counsel, a right EOCO said was respected. Investigators and Mensah waited through the afternoon; EOCO staff continued the interrogation into the night, which ended around 9:00 p.m. Officers left the office around 11:00 p.m., the agency said.
Mensah was granted bail at about 9:00 p.m. after the interview. He was released on bail of GHC10,000,000 with two sureties to be justified. EOCO said it will carry out its standard surety inspections once the sureties are presented.
On the question of ownership, EOCO reported that Mensah has not been able to identify the person from whom he purchased the vehicle. He has told investigators he bought it “from the street” and from someone possibly called “Zak,” who may have contacted him via WhatsApp. EOCO said Mensah does not know Zak’s identity and has discarded the contact. Mensah also reportedly does not possess any receipt or transfer documents showing he bought or owns the vehicle, other than a customs declaration bearing the name Nana Kwabena Amuah.
EOCO said the matter remains under investigation as it continues to liaise with US authorities on the recovery process and any local links to the case.