The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has responded to accusations made by musician Charles Nii Armah, known as Shatta Wale, following a search and seizure operation at his residence.
EOCO confirmed that the operation was conducted lawfully in June this year, following a 2023 request from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the United States Justice Department.
“The operation which was undertaken by the Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) of EOCO led to the discovery and seizure of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus which the FBI and the Justice Department have tied to the proceeds of the criminal enterprise of one Nana Kwabena Amuah who is currently serving an 86 month sentence for several financial crimes in the US,” It said in a statement issued on August 5, 2025,
According to EOCO, the vehicle was retrieved in a professional and civil manner.
“The car was seized from one Charles Nii Armah, aka Shatta Wale. The officers were professional and civil and the search and seizure occurred without incident.”
EOCO further clarified that the musician was allowed to hand over the vehicle voluntarily and also revealed that Shatta Wale had expressed concerns about the publicity of the seizure.
“Nii Armah had pleaded with officers that he did not want the seizure to be made public because the vehicle was a big part of his brand and that if his supporters saw the vehicle being driven away in the company of EOCO, it would destroy his brand,” EOCO stated.
In regard to security protocols, EOCO emphasized, “It is a standard safety protocol practice for officers of the Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) to carry weapons whilst on operation for the safety of officers.”
The FBI and the US Justice Department, according to EOCO, plan to send a formal Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request to the Government of Ghana for the return of the vehicle as part of Nana Kwabena Amuah’s $4,743,443 restitution.
EOCO confirmed that the musician and a former senior officer of the National Signal Bureau (NSB) have been assessed as persons of interest and will be invited by EOCO to assist in further ongoing investigations in the coming days.
“EOCO may share the final investigations report to the FBI and the Justice Department as part of our ongoing cooperation.”
