A video of Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale passionately defending his close associate Kofi Boat has gone viral again. The clip, which dates back to a TikTok Live session in June 2025, resurfaced after Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, widely known as Kofi Boat, entered a guilty plea in a US romance scam case. In the video, Shatta Wale grew visibly emotional as he pushed back against accusations that Kofi Boat was a scammer.
Kofi Boat, 37, and fellow Ghanaian Inusah Ahmed, 41, also known as Pascal, were extradited from Ghana to the United States on 7 August 2025. US prosecutors described both men as "chairmen" of an international criminal network that defrauded victims through romance scams and business email compromise schemes, laundering the stolen proceeds back to West Africa.
According to the US Department of Justice, the organisation stole and laundered more than $100 million from victims across the country, many of whom were vulnerable older adults. Their case is before Judge Arun Subramanian of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. Pascal entered his guilty plea on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, while Kofi Boat followed two days later on Thursday, October 29.
Both men pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a charge that carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. No sentencing date has yet been set. US Attorney Jamie McDonald said the case demonstrated that "geographic borders will not shield those who exploit Americans from facing justice in our courts."
As part of their pleas, both men agreed to pay substantial restitution. Kofi Boat is held responsible for approximately $12.5 million in victim losses, with restitution and forfeiture each set at $12,529,213.98. Pascal faces figures nearly three times higher, at roughly $28.5 million in losses, with restitution and forfeiture of $28,574,002 each.
The return of Shatta Wale's old defence of Kofi Boat has drawn a range of responses online. Ghanaians have taken to social media to react to the resurfaced video, with some expressing surprise and others defending the artist's loyalty to his friend. A third member of the network, Derrick Van Yeboah, known as "Van," has already been sentenced to 85 months in prison by the same judge.
Another associate, Patrick Kwame Asare, known as "Borgar," remains at large. The case highlights the severity of romance scams and the importance of international cooperation in bringing perpetrators to justice. Shatta Wale's resurfaced video has sparked a renewed conversation about loyalty, friendship, and accountability in the entertainment industry.
Key points
- Kofi Boat and Inusah Ahmed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a US court.
- The duo were part of an international criminal network that stole and laundered over $100 million from American victims.
- Shatta Wale's old video defending Kofi Boat has sparked a range of reactions online, highlighting the complexities of loyalty and accountability.
