Ghanaian dancehall artist Shatta Wale has suffered a significant financial blow after losing a $2 million distribution deal for his Voice of the Crown EP, following the seizure of his Lamborghini in an FBI-backed operation.
According to media personality Sammy-Flex, the lucrative agreement fell through after the incident triggered a wave of negative publicity online, dampening investor confidence in the star’s business ventures.
“It’s unfortunate. The buzz around this wasn’t good for him at all. The deal was already in motion, but after the seizure went public, the partners pulled out,” Sammy-Flex explained.
On 5 August, officers from Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) raided Shatta Wale’s residence, confiscating the luxury sports car at the request of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice.
In a statement, EOCO confirmed the Lamborghini was identified as an asset obtained through fraudulent means, forming part of a U.S. court case against Richard Amuah. Amuah was sentenced to 64 months in prison and ordered to pay over $4 million in restitution to victims of his scheme.
“The vehicle has been duly secured and will be handed over to the United States authorities in accordance with the judgment issued by the U.S. District Court,” EOCO stated.
Shatta Wale has insisted he purchased the Lamborghini for $150,000 without any knowledge that it was a stolen asset. He described the seizure as a shock and expressed frustration over how the case has been portrayed in the media.
“I worked for my money and bought my car. I didn’t know it had any history,” he said in an earlier interview.
The incident has reignited discussions about the vulnerability of public figures to reputational damage when linked, even indirectly, to criminal cases. It has also highlighted Ghana’s growing cooperation with international law enforcement agencies in recovering proceeds of crime and combating money laundering.
EOCO reaffirmed its commitment to assisting global partners in such cases and urged the public to support ongoing investigations.
For Shatta Wale, however, the damage may already be done. The collapsed $2 million deal represents not only a major financial loss but also a potential setback for the promotion of his Voice of the Crown EP on the global stage.
