How Shatta Wale fans hijacked Accra streets over Lamborghini probe

Accra’s streets turned chaotic on Thursday, August 21, 2025, as hundreds of fans of Ghanaian dancehall star Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., popularly known as Shatta Wale, besieged the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to demand his release.

The fans, many of them from the ghettos, arrived in large numbers, blasting music, smoking, and dancing while chanting slogans in solidarity with their idol.

They accused the authorities of targeting Shatta Wale and insisted that his detention was an attempt to silence one of Ghana’s most influential musicians.

Why Shatta Wale Was Arrested

Shatta Wale was picked up by EOCO as part of an ongoing investigation into the ownership of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus, a flashy luxury car he claimed to have purchased for $150,000 on the street.

The car, however, has been linked to an international fraud case prosecuted in the United States.

According to U.S. court documents, the Lamborghini was among several high-end assets acquired with proceeds from a $4 million fraud scheme orchestrated by Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian currently serving an 86-month sentence in the U.S.

On August 15, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky issued a forfeiture order, authorising American authorities to seize the Lamborghini in Ghana as part of restitution against Amuah.

Acting on this request, EOCO tracked the car to Shatta Wale’s residence at Trassaco Valley and seized it earlier this year.

A Troubling Interrogation

Shatta Wale was invited to assist with investigations, with his interrogation initially scheduled for August 13 but later postponed to August 20 at the request of his lawyers.

He arrived late on the day of questioning and refused to cooperate until his lawyer was present.

The interrogation, which lasted until 9 p.m., revealed inconsistencies in his account.

Pressed to disclose who sold him the Lamborghini, Shatta Wale admitted he could not identify the seller.

He claimed the transaction was arranged “on the street” through a man he knew only as “Zak,” who contacted him via WhatsApp. He further admitted to losing Zak’s contact details.

Most damning for investigators, Shatta Wale failed to provide receipts, transfer documents, or ownership papers.

The only document he had was a customs declaration bearing the name of convicted fraudster Nana Kwabena Amuah, raising further questions about the legitimacy of his claim.

EOCO later granted him bail set at GH₵10 million with two sureties.

International Legal Pressure

The probe has put Ghanaian authorities in the spotlight as U.S. officials press for international legal cooperation.

EOCO must now explain how a car linked to financial crimes in America ended up in the possession of one of Ghana’s biggest music stars.

While Shatta Wale has not been accused of participating in Amuah’s crimes, he is officially listed as a “person of interest” in the ongoing investigation.

The Social Media Storm

Shatta Wale’s detention first surfaced when music executive Sammy Flex revealed the development in a Facebook post.

The update quickly went viral, sparking heated debates on social media and drawing fans to EOCO’s gates.

In response, Shatta Wale’s manager, Samuel Atuobi Baah, issued a statement urging calm:

“We urge the SM Family and all well-wishers to remain calm and avoid speculation. We have confidence in the judicial process. Shatta Wale is cooperating fully with EOCO.”

A Star Often In Controversy

This is not Shatta Wale’s first brush with the law. In 2021, he was arrested for staging a fake shooting incident — a stunt that landed him in police custody and drew widespread criticism.

Over the years, his clashes with authorities, feuds with fellow musicians, and controversial antics have often made as many headlines as his music career.

Now, however, Shatta Wale faces a far more serious test — one that ties him to an international financial crime scandal, raising questions about accountability, celebrity culture, and cooperation with global justice systems.