The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has confirmed the seizure of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus from the residence of popular dancehall artiste Charles Nii Armah Mensah, also known as Shatta Wale, at Trasacco Valley Phase 1 in Accra.
The seizure followed a joint operation between EOCO’s Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the United States Justice Department.
The action was based on a 2023 request from U.S. authorities and tied to the proceeds of a criminal enterprise involving one Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently serving an 86-month sentence in the United States for financial crimes.
According to EOCO, the vehicle is believed to have been purchased using funds linked to Amuah’s illicit activities.
The operation was carried out professionally and without incident. Shatta Wale reportedly cooperated with officers and voluntarily surrendered the vehicle.
Per the press release, the artiste initially requested that the seizure not be made public, fearing that the public association of the vehicle with EOCO would negatively impact his brand. Nonetheless, the luxury car is now in EOCO’s custody.
As part of ongoing procedures, the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department are expected to submit a formal Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request to the Ghanaian government to repatriate the car to the United States as part of efforts to recover Amuah’s court-ordered restitution of $4,743,443.
Both Shatta Wale and a former senior official of the National Signal Bureau (NSB) have been named persons of interest and are expected to assist with further investigations in the coming days.
EOCO stated that final investigation reports may be shared with U.S. authorities under the terms of their ongoing cooperation.
