Bediako Challenges $14.9m UK Court Judgement Over Alleged Forged Signature

Ghanaian entrepreneur Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, has filed a claim at the UK High Court to challenge a $14.9 million judgment against him. Bediako alleges that the documents used to secure the judgment were obtained fraudulently. The judgment, made in January 2025, ordered Bediako to pay Cola Holdings Limited, a property investment vehicle of the London-based Cola family.

The dispute centers around an $18 million loan taken out to build No. 1 Oxford Street, a 108-unit serviced apartment complex in Accra. The loan was secured from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). When the loan was called in April 2023, the Colas claimed Bediako was responsible for half of the outstanding amount. Bediako disputes the deed of indemnity used to establish his liability, alleging that the signature on it is not his.

According to Bediako's filing, he was in Nigeria on January 18, 2018, the day the document was purportedly signed at his Accra office. His lawyers suggest that an electronic version of his signature may have been used without his knowledge or consent. This raises questions about the authenticity of the document and whether Bediako's signature was used without his permission.

Bediako's filing also raises concerns about Reginald Sittie, his former executive assistant, who allegedly maintained professional relationships with both Bediako and the Cola family. Bediako's lawyers allege that Azad Cola gave Sittie a Rolex watch in the spring of 2018, which may have influenced Sittie's actions. However, Bediako stresses that he is not alleging a bribe.

Cola Holdings has strongly rejected Bediako's allegations, with Lawrence Cartier, representing the company, stating that the family categorically denies the claims and intends to submit a comprehensive defence to the High Court. The case has significant implications for commercial accountability, documentation, and the protection of business interests in cross-border investment.

The project, which grew out of a business relationship between Bediako and Azad Cola, reportedly ceased accepting reservations around the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Separately, Cola Holdings is pursuing possession of the building through receivership proceedings in Ghana. Bediako founded Kwarleyz Group, with interests in real estate, construction, energy, and hospitality.

The High Court will now consider Bediako's allegations and decide whether the original judgment stands. Bediako is seeking to set aside the judgment and obtain compensation for significant losses resulting from the decision. The case highlights the importance of verifying documentation and ensuring the authenticity of signatures in business transactions.

Key points

• Bediako alleges that the signature on the deed of indemnity is not his and that he has no knowledge of how it came to appear there.
• The case raises wider questions about commercial accountability, documentation, and the protection of business interests in cross-border investment.
• Cola Holdings has strongly rejected Bediako's allegations and intends to submit a comprehensive defence to the High Court.