EOCO didn’t arrest me; God used them to educate us – Shatta Wale

Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale says his experience with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has taught him important life lessons—particularly about honesty, property ownership, and responsibility.

He believes the lessons he learned will serve as a cautionary example to the youth, guiding them to be more vigilant and informed when acquiring assets.

“Raymond Archer is now my best friend because I feel God sent him for us to educate the people, and that is what he did. That is one of the problems he has solved in the country. People might think he arrested me but all what he did was God-ordained,” he said in an interview on Accra-based Joy Prime Television.

According to Shatta Wale, his encounter with EOCO has opened his eyes to how easily one can get into trouble through ignorance or carelessness when purchasing property. “He’s really opened our eyes to certain things. I think it is about time the youth have to be wise and know how to purchase properties. Me too, that is what I’m doing right now. If I want to purchase something I ask, bad man, is it stolen?” he added.

The “Ayoo” hitmaker was detained by EOCO over an investigation into the tax and ownership status of a yellow Lamborghini Urus, which authorities suspected was linked to an international fraud operation.

The incident, which occurred in early August 2025, saw EOCO working in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to seize the luxury vehicle. The seizure formed part of a broader international probe into alleged stolen assets connected to criminal enterprises.

Officials invoked Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010 (Act 804) and the Mutual Legal Assistance Act, 2010 (Act 807) during the operation.

Shatta Wale’s remarks suggest that the incident has left a lasting impression on him. He emphasized that young people must be diligent and avoid shortcuts when making purchases, especially when dealing with high-value items.

His reflection comes amid growing concerns about rising cases of fraud, money laundering, and the use of luxury assets as fronts for illicit financial transactions in Ghana.