Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr. popularly known as Shatta Wale’s mentions he purchased his Lamborghini from the street as scandal deepens with many fans trooping in at EOCO’s office to demand his release.
Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., has taken a dramatic turn. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) revealed today that Shatta Wale is unable to identify the person from whom he purchased his seized yellow Lamborghini Urus, claiming only that he acquired it from “the street.”
This cryptic statement has fueled speculation and outrage as the vehicle is linked to a $4 million fraud scheme in the United States, thrusting the celebrity into an international spotlight of legal and criminal scrutiny.
Shatta Wale’s Mentions Where he Purchased his Lamborghini from as Scandal Deepens
Shatta Wale unable to identify person from whom he purchased said Lamborghini Urus vehicle under investigation except to say that he purchased it from the “Street” – EOCO#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/DAeWlEFXp1
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) August 21, 2025
The investigation, initiated at the request of the FBI, centers on the Lamborghini’s connection to Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian national currently serving a seven-year sentence in the U.S. for orchestrating a sophisticated fraud operation. Amuah and his accomplices allegedly impersonated vendors to defraud nearly 70 public and private organizations, funneling millions into bank accounts controlled through shell companies. U.S. court records indicate that the luxury vehicle was flagged as part of a $4.7 million restitution plan for the victims, raising questions about how it ended up in Shatta Wale’s possession and whether it served as a conduit for laundering illicit funds.
The background to this story traces back to early August 2025, when Ghanaian authorities, acting on a U.S. request, seized the 2019 Lamborghini Urus from Shatta Wale’s property. The artist, known for his collaboration with Beyoncé on the 2019 track “Already” from The Lion King soundtrack, initially criticized the operation, accusing EOCO of humiliating him by storming his home with armed officers. At the time, he denied any knowledge of the car’s criminal origins, claiming he was a “third-party owner” and unaware of who shipped it to Ghana. This incident marked the beginning of a high-profile probe that has since escalated, drawing global attention to the intersection of celebrity lifestyles and organized crime.
More Details as Shatta Wale’s Lamborghini Scandal Deepens
Trending
EOCO has released a statement on detention of Charles Nii Armah Mensah (Shatta Wale)#GhanaTrends pic.twitter.com/E8AdQPtBsh
— GhanaTrends.com (@GhanaTrendsInc) August 21, 2025
Further complicating the narrative, a 2023 report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that global money laundering amounts to approximately $2 trillion annually, with luxury goods often serving as a preferred method for transferring illicit wealth across borders. The Shatta Wale case appears to align with this trend, as experts suggest the Lamborghini could have been used to obscure the proceeds of Amuah’s fraud. EOCO’s ongoing investigation aims to unravel this complex web, with authorities indicating that the vehicle may be returned to the U.S. to aid in victim restitution, pending the outcome of their probe.
Shatta Wale’s vague reference to purchasing the car from “the street” has sparked a mix of amusement and concern on social media, with fans and critics alike debating the implications. Some interpret it as an adherence to a cultural code of silence, a phenomenon explored in a 2021 study published in the Journal of Criminal Justice, which noted that such evasiveness often protects the anonymity of organized crime networks operating transnationally. Others, however, see it as a potential misstep that could jeopardize his defense, with legal experts warning that his inability to provide documentation or a seller’s identity might strengthen the case against him under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which addresses dishonestly receiving property.
The artist was detained by EOCO on August 20, 2025, facing charges related to money laundering, possession of proceeds of crime, and tax evasion. Granted bail of 10 million Ghanaian cedis, Shatta Wale remains under intense scrutiny as his fans protest outside EOCO offices in Accra, chanting slogans of support. The case has ignited a broader conversation about the accountability of public figures and the challenges of combating financial crimes in an era where luxury goods can mask illicit origins. As the investigation unfolds, the global music community and Ghanaian public await further developments, with the outcome potentially reshaping Shatta Wale’s career and the nation’s stance on international crime enforcement.
In the meantime, EOCO officials have vowed to “crack the code” behind the “street” purchase, emphasizing their mandate to recover proceeds of crime and prosecute offenders. The agency’s efforts are part of a broader push against corruption in Ghana, as highlighted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s recent report detailing 219 active cases, including high-profile fugitives. With the Lamborghini scandal now a trending topic worldwide, the pressure is on to deliver justice, while Shatta Wale’s next move—whether a legal defense or a public statement—could prove pivotal in determining his fate.
