Police Arrest Popular Ghanaian Musician Over Hoax Shooting Incident

Police in Ghana arrested popular musician Shatta Wale on Tuesday after it turned out that reports of him being shot were false.

"He has been arrested to assist the police in investigations for his alleged involvement in the creation and circulation of information intended to cause fear and panic," the Ghana Police Service said in a statement.

The reggae-dancehall artist and rapper, whose real name is Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., was widely reported to have been shot by gunmen Monday night.

Police said their preliminary investigations revealed that the gunshot attack was a hoax.

Earlier, the police confirmed arresting two of the musician's close friends, Kojo Owusu Koranteng, also known as Nana Dope, and Eric Venator, alias Gangee, for allegedly spreading false information with the intention to cause fear and panic.

On Monday, police released a statement saying they were searching for Shatta Wale after hearing of the alleged gunshot attack.

The musician responded Tuesday morning to the police via his official Facebook page, saying that his "life is in danger" and that he is "on the run" until his safety is assured.

Although he apologised, Shatta Wale tried to justify his expensive stunt by blaming a Ghanaian pastor.

It is reported that Bishop Stephen Kwesi Appiah made a prophecy on a local radio station that Shatta Wale would be killed on Oct. 18.

The pastor has been arrested as confirmed by the police.

This is not the first time Shatta Wale has been arrested. In 2019, he and another dancehall act, Stonebwoy, were arrested following an on-stage clash at the Ghana Music Awards show in which the latter pulled a gun.

Shatta Wale turned 37 on Sunday and was widely celebrated by Ghanaian music lovers.

In 2019, he was featured on Beyonce's internationally acclaimed The Lion King: The Gift album. -