The ongoing legal case surrounding the seizure of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus from dancehall star Shatta Wale is fundamentally about restitution, not the musician’s punishment, according to international lawyer Amanda Clinton.
The Head of Chambers for Clinton Consultancy emphasised in an interview that the lack of criminal charges against the artiste so far points to a process aimed at repayment rather than prosecution.
The investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) was initiated at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice, which is seeking the repatriation of the vehicle as part of a forfeiture order.
The car is identified as a “substitute asset” to satisfy a US$4 million restitution order against Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian national convicted of fraud in the U.S.
Ms Clinton explained, “The lack of criminal charges suggests this is truly about restitution—not punishing Shatta Wale, but securing repayment via the car.”
She clarified that EOCO’s primary role is to enforce asset seizure laws and ensure Ghana fulfills its international obligations under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with the U.S.
The legal process in Ghana is not automatic.
While the EOCO has seized the vehicle, it must now apply to a Ghanaian High Court for an order to enforce the U.S. request.
The court will determine if the vehicle is indeed a “proceed of crime” under Ghanaian law. It will also consider whether Shatta Wale is an “innocent purchaser” who bought the car in good faith, she explained in an interview with Citi FM.
The EOCO’s investigation is not a direct fraud case against Shatta Wale but rather an enforcement of a foreign restitution order.
Ms Clinton’s analysis underscores that the case is a powerful demonstration of how international justice systems cooperate to recover assets tied to global financial crimes.
Shatta Wale was detained for nearly two days over the matter and was released on August 21.
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