Popular Ghanaian dancehall artiste Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., known professionally as Shatta Wale, has told investigators from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) that he cannot identify the specific individual from whom he purchased his 2019 Lamborghini Urus vehicle, describing the transaction as a purchase made “from the street” and from someone possibly called “ZAK” who may have contacted him on WhatsApp.
The revelation emerged from an official EOCO press release dated August 21, 2025, detailing the interrogation and subsequent bail granted to the musician in connection with the luxury vehicle that has attracted international attention from United States authorities.
According to EOCO’s statement, Shatta Wale was invited to assist in investigations surrounding the Lamborghini Urus, a car identified by the FBI and the US Justice Department as proceeds of a $4 million crime involving one Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian currently serving a jail term in the USA.
The investigation forms part of a larger probe regarding possible co-conspirators in the $4 million crime which occurred in the US involving some Ghanaians and recoveries of the proceeds of the crime.
The drama surrounding Shatta Wale’s interrogation unfolded on August 20, 2025, when he arrived at EOCO offices around 3pm and insisted he would not cooperate until his counsel arrived.
EOCO investigators and the artiste waited from 11am till 5pm before his counsel showed up, with EOCO staff choosing to carry on with the interrogation despite their office closing time of 5pm. The interrogation eventually ended around 9pm, with officers leaving the office around 11pm.
Following the lengthy interrogation, Shatta Wale was granted bail of GH₵10,000,000 with two sureties to be justified. EOCO indicated that once the sureties are presented, they will undertake surety inspection as standard protocol, after which the musician would leave the custody.
The investigation began following requests from the FBI and the US Justice Department for EOCO to track the vehicle and conduct local investigations to uncover possible co-conspirators in Ghana.
EOCO began searching for the vehicle until it was identified and seized around May 2025 in the possession of Charles Nii Armah Mensah.
A significant development occurred on August 15, 2025, when a United States District Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky, Central Division of Lexington, in a criminal case of United States of America vs.
Nana Kwabena Amuah, issued an order for Forfeiting Substitute Asset on the Lamborghini Urus, authorizing the US Government to take possession of the vehicle in Ghana as restitution for the crime.
The case took a public turn on August 5, 2025, following Shatta Wale’s public claim that he purchased the car at a price of US$150,000 from an unidentified party.
This prompted EOCO to issue an invitation for him to report on August 13, 2025, which was later rescheduled to August 20, 2025, at 10am to assist with investigations.
However, the interrogation faced delays when counsel for Shatta Wale indicated to EOCO officers that they would prefer to report at 11am. EOCO readjusted its schedule to align with their time, but shortly before 11am, the counsel called EOCO to claim that his client was not available and was busy.
According to EOCO’s findings, Shatta Wale has been unable to identify the person from whom he purchased the Lamborghini Urus vehicle except to say that he purchased it from the “Street” and from someone possibly called “ZAK” who may have contacted him on WhatsApp, though he claims he does not know this person’s identity and has thrown away their contact.
More concerning for investigators is that Shatta Wale does not possess any documentation in terms of receipt or transfer documents showing that he owns or purchased the vehicle, except for a customs declaration document in his possession bearing the name of Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently in jail in the United States.
The lack of proper documentation raises serious questions about due diligence in high-value transactions and compliance with Ghana’s anti-money laundering regulations.
Financial experts note that legitimate transactions of this magnitude typically involve clear paper trails, registered dealers, and proper import documentation.
The case highlights the importance of thorough background checks on expensive purchases, particularly luxury vehicles that may have complex ownership histories.
It also demonstrates Ghana’s commitment to cooperating with international law enforcement agencies in combating financial crimes and recovering proceeds of crime.
As the case continues to unfold, EOCO will proceed with surety inspection procedures while the entertainment industry and fans await further developments in this high-profile investigation that has captured significant media attention both locally and internationally.
The outcome may have broader implications for how high-profile individuals conduct luxury purchases and maintain proper documentation of their acquisitions.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
