The Forestry Commission of Ghana has dragged the founder of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako (popularly known as Cheddar), to the High Court in a bid to formally and permanently seize his two pet tigers. The suit, filed by the Wildlife Division, argues that the animals were "illegally" imported into the country in violation of international and local wildlife regulations.
The legal action follows years of controversy regarding the presence of the predators in a residential neighborhood in Osu, Accra.
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| Nana Kwame Bediako (Cheddar) |
Legal Grounds for the Forfeiture Suit
The Forestry Commission's affidavit, filed on January 26, 2026, claims that Cheddar breached the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115) and the CITES Convention.
Lack of Permits: The Commission asserts that the tigers were imported without the required export/import permits or scientific authority approvals.
Public Safety: It maintains that keeping dangerous wild animals as pets in a residential estate poses a significant threat to the public.
Current Status: Although the tigers have been housed at the Achimota Zoo enclave since early 2024 for medical care and safety, the State is now seeking a formal court order to forfeit them permanently to the government.
In a court hearing on Thursday, February 19, 2026, the High Court noted that the Commission had been unable to serve the hearing notice to Cheddar personally. The presiding judge, Justice Sedinam Awo Kwadam, adjourned the case to March 5, 2026, suggesting that the Commission may need to apply for substituted service if he remains unreachable.
Nana Kwame Bediako’s Multi-Million Dollar "Debt" Storm
The tiger lawsuit comes just weeks after a separate, massive legal blow to the "New Force" leader. On January 22, 2026, the High Court (Commercial Division) in Accra moved to enforce a $14.9 million judgment debt against Bediako, originating from a court in the United Kingdom.
The Creditor: The debt is owed to Cola Holdings Limited, a UK-based company owned by Azad Cola.
Fraud Allegations: Cheddar has denied personally contracting any loan from the company, labeling the UK judgment as "fraudulent" and an "unjust enrichment".
The Legal Fightback: Bediako has instructed his lawyers to appeal the enforcement in Ghana, claiming that the UK court was misled and that the same debt is being pursued twice against different entities he is associated with.
Context: The Man with Three Names
Nana Kwame Bediako is one of Ghana's most enigmatic public figures, often operating under three distinct personas: Nana Kwame Bediako (the corporate investor), Cheddar (the street-savvy nickname), and Freedom Jacob Caesar (the royal-styled leader).
As the leader of the New Force movement, he contested the 2024 Presidential Election, promising an industrial revolution and a "New Africa". However, his private life continues to be defined by high-stakes legal battles, ranging from the tiger controversy to defamation suits filed by activist groups like Democracy Hub.
What Happens Next
Tigers Case: The High Court will reconvene on March 5, 2026, to determine if Cheddar has been successfully served and to begin hearings on the permanent forfeiture.
Debt Case: The enforcement of the $14.9 million judgment will proceed unless his lawyers successfully secure a stay of execution through the appeals process.
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