Forestry Commission Sues Cheddar Over Alleged Illegal Importation of Two Tigers, Seeks Forfeiture to the State
The Forestry Commission of Ghana, through its Wildlife Division’s Ecotourism Unit, has filed a lawsuit at the Accra High Court against businessman and former 2024 presidential candidate Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar (also referred to as Freedom Jacob Caesar), seeking to recover custody and ownership of two tigers allegedly imported illegally into the country.
The suit, filed on January 26, 2026, accuses Cheddar of breaching wildlife protection laws by bringing the endangered animals—reportedly white tigers—into Ghana without the required export permits, import permits, scientific authority approvals, or management authority clearances. This is said to violate Article III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Ghana is a signatory.
According to court documents cited in reports, the Commission became aware in 2022 that Cheddar had imported the two tigers and was keeping them at his residence in a residential area (Wonda World Estates, Avenue Lincoln, near the British High Commission in Ridge, Accra). An investigation confirmed the importation lacked lawful authorization, prompting the legal action.
The Forestry Commission is praying the court to:
Declare the importation unlawful.
Order Cheddar to forfeit the two tigers to the State for proper custody and management, citing concerns over their welfare as non-native, endangered species not suited to private residential keeping.
This development revives a long-running controversy that first surfaced in May 2022 when Cheddar publicly revealed the tigers, describing their arrival as an “achievement” and sparking public debate, neighbor complaints about safety, and initial Forestry Commission scrutiny. At the time, questions arose over how the animals cleared customs and ports, with some reports suggesting prior documentation or clearances existed—though the current suit alleges violations of CITES protocols.
Cheddar, founder of the New Force political party and a prominent businessman, has faced multiple legal challenges recently, including enforcement of a UK judgment for over US$14.9 million in debt (registered in Ghana in 2025). No immediate response from Cheddar or his legal team to the tiger forfeiture suit has been reported as of February 20, 2026.
The case highlights broader issues of wildlife trafficking, enforcement of international conventions on endangered species, and the regulation of exotic animal ownership in Ghana, where tigers are not native and pose biosecurity and public safety risks. The Forestry Commission emphasized that such imports require strict permits to prevent illegal trade and ensure animal welfare.
The High Court is yet to set a hearing date, but the suit could lead to orders for the tigers’ relocation—potentially to a zoo, sanctuary, or state facility—if the Commission prevails. The outcome may set precedents for handling exotic pets and wildlife imports in the country. Further details are expected as proceedings advance.
