The Kumasi High Court has dismissed an application filed by Akosua Serwaa Fosuh seeking a declaration that she be recognised as the sole surviving spouse of the late highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, popularly known as Daddy Lumba.
In a landmark ruling delivered today by Justice Dorinda Smith Arthur, the court determined that both Akosua Serwaa Fosuh and Priscilla Ofori — widely known by her stage name Odo Broni — qualify as surviving spouses of the deceased musician under the law.
The judgment follows weeks of intense legal tension surrounding the organisation of Daddy Lumba’s final funeral rites, which are scheduled for early December. Akosua Serwaa, who resides in Germany, had approached the court earlier this year requesting exclusive recognition as the late artist’s legal wife and, consequently, sole authority to perform widowhood rites. Her application also sought to restrain Odo Broni from claiming spousal status and to prevent the head of the extended Fosuh family, Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, from proceeding with funeral preparations that involve Odo Broni.
Justice Smith Arthur, in her ruling, noted that Akosua Serwaa could not sufficiently prove that she remained Daddy Lumba’s wife at the time of his death, whereas Odo Broni was able to demonstrate a valid customary marriage and shared six children with the highlife icon. The court consequently ordered Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu to permit both women to participate fully in the widowhood rites and all associated funeral traditions. The directive underscores the court’s recognition of the rights of both surviving spouses to perform the customary rites, thereby ending the legal dispute over spousal status.
During proceedings, the court heard testimony from five witnesses, including three from Akosua Serwaa’s legal team and one each from Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu and Odo Broni’s side. Evidence presented included the original civil marriage certificate between Akosua Serwaa and the deceased, which was admitted despite defence challenges concerning its authenticity. A tax analyst and witness for Odo Broni, James Beniako Boateng, testified that Daddy Lumba had publicly affirmed the dissolution of his marriage to Akosua Serwaa during his customary marriage ceremony with Odo Broni in 2010 and that the couple had lived together at Tantara Hills and later East Legon, Accra, raising their six children.
In her judgment, Justice Smith Arthur emphasized the need for the two women to cease the feud and focus on giving the legend a befitting funeral. She described the court’s approach as “firm, decisive and often light‑hearted,” earning praise from legal counsel on both sides for handling the complex case efficiently within a short timeframe. The ruling effectively grants the family the green light to proceed with burial arrangements, with the final funeral rites slated for December 13, 2025.
Reacting to the decision, lawyers from Baba Jamal and Associates — who represent the Fosuh family — clarified that they do not act for Odo Broni, avoiding conflict of interest given their role as the late musician’s legal counsel prior to his death. They affirmed their commitment to protecting Daddy Lumba’s estate during the execution of the funeral and widowhood ceremonies.
The court’s dismissal of Akosua Serwaa’s injunction removes a major legal hurdle, allowing Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu and the extended family to coordinate the widowhood rites with participation of both recognised spouses. Stakeholders note that the judgment brings closure to a protracted legal drama, enabling fans and family members to prepare for a dignified celebration of Daddy Lumba’s life and legacy.
