Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale has been detained as part of a tax investigation linked to his purchase of a yellow Lamborghini that was seized earlier this month at the request of U.S. authorities, his management said.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) took the artist, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah, into custody on Wednesday after he “presented himself voluntarily,” his team said in a statement. EOCO has not commented.
U.S. authorities alleged the vehicle was connected to proceeds of a criminal enterprise involving Ghanaian national Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is serving a seven-year sentence for fraud. EOCO has said the car will be returned to the United States to aid restitution for Amuah’s victims.
Shatta Wale’s management did not address the U.S. allegations, saying only that he was being questioned over “tax obligations.” Earlier, the singer denied any link to Amuah, said he was a “third-party owner” of the $150,000 car and that he did not know who shipped it to Ghana.
U.S. court records say Amuah and co-conspirators impersonated vendors to defraud nearly 70 public and private organisations. Ghanaian and U.S. authorities have stepped up joint action against online fraud networks this month, with the FBI and U.S. Justice Department announcing the extradition and arrest of three Ghanaian nationals accused of running a $100 million scheme involving romance scams and phishing.
Shatta Wale, one of Ghana’s best-known performers, rose to prominence on Jamaica’s dancehall sound and featured on Beyoncé’s 2019 track “Already.” His team urged fans to remain calm while his legal advisers work with authorities to resolve the matter.