High Court Rules Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni as Surviving Wives of Daddy Lumba; Dismisses Injunction Against Funeral Plans
Court rejects Akosua Serwaa’s claim to sole spousal status, affirms Odo Broni as co-widow, and clears the way for the burial of Daddy Lumba.
- Court Rejects Sole Spouse Claim
- The court threw out the injunction seeking to block funeral arrangements, clearing the way for burial rites to proceed
- The judge reaffirmed that under Ghanaian customary law
A Kumasi High Court presided over by Justice Dorinda Smith-Arthur has ruled that Akosua Serwaa Fosuh cannot be recognised as the only surviving spouse of late highlife icon Daddy Lumba, after the court found that her claim was not proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The decision followed a legal tussle over which widow had the lawful right to perform widowhood rites after the musician’s death.
In her ruling delivered on Friday, November 28, the judge held that evidence before the court confirmed that Priscilla Ofori, popularly known as Odo Broni, was customarily married to Daddy Lumba prior to his death. The court also acknowledged that Akosua Serwaa was likewise customarily married to the artiste.
However, the court rejected the German marriage certificate presented by Akosua Serwaa as proof of a civil marriage, explaining that the document was merely an extract and not an original certificate, and therefore insufficient as conclusive evidence.
Justice Smith-Arthur consequently ruled that both women are to be recognised as surviving wives of Daddy Lumba and must be duly acknowledged by the Abusuapanyin in the performance of the widowhood rites. She further directed that no obstacles should be placed in the way of the removal and burial of the late musician.
Earlier in the proceedings, the court had also dismissed an injunction application by Akosua Serwaa seeking to halt funeral arrangements in favour of the extended family, reaffirming that under Ghanaian customary law, the body and burial rites of a deceased person fall under the authority of the matrilineal family.
Speaking after the ruling, Lawyer George Oppong, counsel for Akosua Serwaa, said his client respects the judgment but strongly disagrees with the decision.
