Renowned reggae musician and media personality Abubakar Ahmed, popularly known as Blakk Rasta, has called on the Ghana Police Service to immediately arrest dancehall artiste Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., known professionally as Shatta Wale, over comments he made about having friends involved in fraud.
Blakk Rasta accused the award-winning musician of making statements that could encourage criminal conduct among young people, insisting that the police should investigate the remarks and take appropriate action.
His call follows comments made by Shatta Wale during the recently held Shatta Fest, where the musician spoke about his success in the music industry and his association with people he described as fraudsters.
During his performance, Shatta Wale defended his wealth, arguing that he had built his fortune through approximately 25 years in the music industry.
He cited his ownership of luxury vehicles, including a Rolls-Royce and a Lamborghini, as evidence of the financial success he had achieved through his music career.
In the course of his remarks, the musician also acknowledged having friends involved in fraudulent activities but said he would not report them to the authorities.
“I get plenty fraud boys wey be my friends, but me, I’m not a snitch,” he said, adding that people who chose to engage in fraud should do so regardless of what others thought.
The comments have drawn criticism from Blakk Rasta, who believes the musician’s remarks warrant police attention because of their potential influence on young people.
Reacting to the development, Blakk Rasta questioned why the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and the leadership of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had not taken action against Shatta Wale.
He argued that the musician’s public comments, which were broadcast live, should prompt the police to examine whether they amounted to an encouragement of criminal activity.
“At your age, you are 46. Forty-six-year-old Shatta. You are still standing on stage telling people they should go and do fraud,” Blakk Rasta said.
He further argued that Shatta Wale’s admission that he has friends involved in fraud, coupled with his declaration that he would not report them, raised concerns that the police should address.
“You have come to tell people that you have friends who are fraudsters. You know what that means? Incitement of crime,” he said.
Blakk Rasta maintained that the police should not ignore the remarks, particularly given the musician’s public profile and the size of his audience.
He also criticised the police leadership over what he perceived as inconsistencies in law enforcement, questioning why the authorities had not acted against Shatta Wale while pursuing other matters.
He specifically challenged the IGP and the CID leadership to demonstrate that the law would be applied equally, regardless of an individual’s celebrity status or public influence.
“If you cannot arrest Shatta Wale, who in front of your nose was telling the youth in Accra and Ghana, because the whole thing was broadcast live, then there is no reason you should go for Ghana Jollof,” he said.
Blakk Rasta also directly criticised the IGP and the CID leadership, expressing frustration over what he considered their failure to respond to the musician’s comments.
His remarks highlight concerns about the responsibility of influential public figures when discussing illegal activities, particularly in a country where financial fraud remains a subject of public concern.
The controversy has renewed attention on the influence of prominent musicians and other public figures, particularly when their statements reach large audiences through live performances and television broadcasts.
Blakk Rasta’s demand raises questions about whether the police will review Shatta Wale’s remarks and determine if they warrant further action.
The matter also raises broader questions about the distinction between describing one’s personal associations, expressing an unwillingness to report others and actively encouraging criminal behaviour.
Any determination of criminal liability, however, rests with the relevant authorities and, where necessary, the courts.
By 1960news.com
