The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has confirmed it carried out a lawful search and seizure operation at the residence of Ghanaian dancehall artiste, Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, in June, following a request from the FBI and the United States Justice Department.
In a press release issued minutes after Shatta had gone on Facebook rant, EOCO revealed that a 2019 Lamborghini Urus belonging to the artiste was retrieved as part of an ongoing international criminal investigation.
According to EOCO, the luxury vehicle has been linked to illicit proceeds tied to Nana Kwabena Amuah, a convicted Ghanaian currently serving an 86-month sentence in the U.S. for serious financial crimes.
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“The car was seized from Charles Nii Armah, aka Shatta Wale. The officers were professional and civil, and the search and seizure occurred without incident,” the release stated.
What does this mean for you?
Earlier today, Shatta Wale went on a public rant in response to what appeared to be a raid on his residence by EOCO - a development many assumed had occurred just hours before his posts.
However, shortly after, a press release - purportedly from EOCO - surfaced, stating that the said operation actually took place in June, nearly two months ago.
Something doesn’t add up.
While social media was ablaze with allegations from Shatta Wale that EOCO stormed his home with guns, the agency clarified that armed operations are standard safety protocol for their Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit (SARU).
The press release also disclosed that Shatta Wale pleaded with officers not to publicize the seizure, citing concerns that it would damage his brand image if fans saw EOCO driving away with his prized car.
“Nii Armah was allowed to surrender the vehicle himself, which is currently in the possession of EOCO,” it stated.
Furthermore, EOCO noted that both Shatta Wale and a former senior officer of the National Signal Bureau (NSB) have been identified as persons of interest and may be called upon for further cooperation in the coming days.