Dancehall artist Shatta Wale was detained in his hometown of Accra by Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) for inquiries into his acquisition of a Lamborghini. EOCO confirmed on Thursday that fans had shown up outside the building, voicing their support for the singer’s release. The authorities claimed they had granted Wale bail of 10 million cedi (approximately €800,000 or $900,000) and he would be released after verifying his surety.
The EOCO stated that Shatta Wale, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah Mensah, was invited to assist investigations regarding a 2019 Lamborghini Urus. This car was identified by the FBI and the US Justice Department as the proceeds of a $4 million criminal operation involving Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian sentenced to jail in the United States.
The incident is part of a larger investigation into a suspected group targeting Americans. The EOCO identified and confiscated the Lamborghini SUV in or around May this year, following a request from US authorities. The Urus is known as the first all-wheel-drive performance SUV from the Italian company famous for its supercars.
Wale claimed he bought the car for $150,000 from an unidentified party known as ‘ZAK’. His legal team maintains that he purchased the car in good faith with no intention of criminal involvement. Despite this, Wale reportedly could not identify ‘ZAK’, whom he communicated with through WhatsApp and claims to have deleted the contact. He also lacked essential documents such as the proof of purchase or ownership papers and only possessed a customs declaration document bearing the name of Nana Kwabena Amuah, the individual linked to the car’s criminal history, whom Wale denies knowing. Wale’s fans have rallied in his support, refusing to leave until he is released, and have maintained that their ‘king’ bought the car in innocence with no criminal intent. His management also affirmed his cooperation with the investigation, claiming the case was concerning tax obligations.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/ghana-singer-shatta-wale-granted-bail-in-lamborghini-probe/a-73722417?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
