By Ziyah News Reporter
Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale has been detained as part of an investigation into his acquisition of a luxury car, sparking controversy and debate across the country. The musician, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah, was later granted bail after voluntarily cooperating with authorities, according to Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (Eoco).
The spotlight fell on Wale after his bright yellow 2019 Lamborghini Urus was seized earlier this month at the request of US authorities. The FBI and US Justice Department claim the vehicle is tied to a $4 million crime orchestrated by Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian currently serving a seven-year prison sentence in the United States for fraud.
Wale’s management, however, has dismissed the US allegations, stating that the detention was related to “tax obligations,” not criminal connections. Wale himself insists he was a “third-party owner” of the $150,000 car and had no knowledge of Amuah or the illegal shipment of the vehicle into Ghana.
The case has stirred significant public interest, with a small crowd of fans gathering outside Eoco’s offices in Accra to show solidarity with the musician.
Bail was initially set at 10,000,000 Ghanaian cedis (£675,000), but was later reduced to $454,000, allowing Wale to secure his release. Authorities have indicated that the Lamborghini will be returned to the United States to aid in restitution for Amuah’s victims.
This incident is part of a broader crackdown on international fraud networks targeting Americans. Earlier this month, the FBI and US Justice Department extradited three Ghanaian nationals accused of masterminding a $100 million scam involving romance fraud and phishing attacks.
Shatta Wale, a global ambassador of Ghanaian music, rose to international fame through his collaborations with artists like Beyoncé, and his involvement in a high-profile legal controversy has provoked heated debate across social media.
Fans have been urged to remain calm and refrain from speculation, while Wale’s legal team works with authorities to resolve the matter.
As Ghana navigates its partnership with US agencies to dismantle fraud networks, the case of Shatta Wale underscores the increasingly complex intersection of celebrity, wealth, and international law.