The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has seized a luxury vehicle from the residence of Ghanaian musician Charles Nii Armah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, in what authorities are describing as the retrieval of proceeds of crime.
According to an official press release signed by the Acting Executive Director of EOCO, the operation was based on a 2023 request from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Justice Department. The request led to a lawful search conducted in Trassaco Valley Phase 1, Accra, in June 2025.
The search, carried out by EOCO’s Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), resulted in the seizure of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus. Authorities in the United States have linked the vehicle to the criminal operations of Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is currently serving an 86-month sentence for multiple financial crimes in the US.
The car was found in Shatta Wale’s possession, but the artist cooperated with authorities, according to the statement. Officers reported that the operation occurred peacefully, with no incident. Shatta Wale was allowed to personally surrender the vehicle to EOCO.
Sources say the musician had requested the seizure not be made public, citing concerns that his fans seeing the luxury vehicle being taken away would damage his personal brand and reputation
As part of standard protocol, SARU officers were armed for their safety during the operation. EOCO emphasized that this was routine procedure for such high-risk assignments.
The United States Department of Justice is now preparing to issue a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request to the Government of Ghana for the return of the vehicle to the U.S., where it will be applied toward the $4.74 million restitution owed by Nana Kwabena Amuah.
Shatta Wale and a former National Signal Bureau (NSB) officer have now been named as persons of interest in the broader investigation. EOCO indicated that both individuals would be invited to assist with further inquiries in the coming days.
EOCO has also stated that its final findings may be shared with both the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department, reinforcing the growing international collaboration in tackling transnational crime.
This incident adds to a list of increasing efforts by Ghanaian authorities to assist international law enforcement in curbing the laundering of criminal proceeds through local assets
