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Popular Ghanaian musician Shatta Wale has been detained in connection with a tax investigation linked to his purchase of a luxury car, his management has confirmed.
Earlier this month, authorities seized Wale’s bright yellow Lamborghini at the request of the US, which alleged the vehicle was connected to the proceeds of a criminal enterprise. The case is tied to Ghanaian national Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is serving a seven-year prison sentence in the US for fraud.
While US court records connect the car to Amuah’s network, Wale’s management did not address those allegations in their statement. Instead, they said the artist had been held over “tax obligations” and stressed that he had “presented himself voluntarily” to Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Wednesday.
EOCO has yet to comment publicly, but earlier announced that the Lamborghini would be returned to the US to help recover funds for Amuah’s victims. The convicted fraudster and his associates were found guilty of impersonating vendors and defrauding nearly 70 public and private organisations across America.
Wale — real name Charles Nii Armah Mensah — is one of Ghana’s biggest music stars. Known for his dancehall hits, he gained international recognition after collaborating with Beyoncé on her 2019 track Already.
The musician has denied any wrongdoing, insisting he is merely the “third-party owner” of the $150,000 (£110,000) car and claiming he did not know who imported it into Ghana.
His management has urged fans to stay calm and avoid speculation while legal processes unfold: “We want to assure all fans and the general public that his legal team is fully engaged and actively working with the authorities to resolve this matter,” their statement said.
The seizure of Wale’s car forms part of a broader joint effort between Ghana and the US to dismantle an international fraud network. Earlier this month, three Ghanaian nationals accused of masterminding a $100m fraud scheme — involving phishing attacks and romance scams — were extradited and charged in the US.
