In a ruling that has sent shockwaves through Ghana’s entertainment industry, the Kumasi High Court has delivered a sensational verdict in the highly publicized marital dispute involving the late highlife icon, Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, popularly known as Daddy Lumba.
The Court has officially recognized both Akosua Serwaa Fosuh and Odo Broni (Priscilla Ofori Atta) as the valid surviving spouses of the legendary musician—bringing an end to months of acrimonious legal tussles, public debates, and media speculation.
The ruling dismisses Akosua Serwaa’s application seeking to be declared the sole surviving spouse and instead affirms that both women qualify under Ghanaian family law as rightful widows of Daddy Lumba. The decision marks a significant turning point in the dispute that erupted following the musician’s death on 26 July 2025.
The Court’s Position: Both Women Are Legally Recognized
In its detailed judgment, the Kumasi High Court noted that Serwaa’s earlier claim of being the only surviving spouse could not be upheld. The Court affirmed that “both women involved in the matter qualify as surviving spouses of the late musician,” recognizing their marital claims under Ghanaian customary law.
The Court further ruled that Serwaa’s assertion of a civil or ordinance marriage between herself and Daddy Lumba in 2004 lacked the required evidentiary support. According to the presiding judge, Serwaa failed to provide “the original marriage certificates” for the supposed civil marriage, relying instead on extracts which the Court deemed insufficient.
Additionally, the defence successfully challenged the authenticity and timing of the documents Serwaa presented from Germany, citing various inconsistencies, including font variations and notary signatures. The Court took notice of these discrepancies, concluding that the evidence was inadequate to invalidate Odo Broni’s long-term customary marriage and cohabitation with the musician.
Why Both Marriages Stand: Legal and Cultural Context
A critical point raised during the proceedings, and one that significantly shaped the verdict was the presiding judge’s observation that under Ghanaian family law, civil and customary marriages exist independently, and simultaneous marriages under both systems can create multi-layered marital obligations.
Judge Dorinda Smith Arthur emphasized that customary marriages, particularly those properly performed and accepted by families, hold full legal weight. Given that Daddy Lumba had married Akosua Serwaa under customary law, and had also maintained a long-standing marital relationship with Odo Broni for more than 15 years—during which they had six children—the Court concluded that both women have valid marital ties to the late musician.
The judge’s reasoning effectively opened the door for recognizing multiple marital claims, paving the way for a dual-widow ruling, which rarely occurs in modern Ghanaian family law disputes.
Widowhood Rites: Both Women Granted Equal Rights
In addition to affirming the dual marital status, the Court issued an order directing Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, the head of the late musician’s extended family, to ensure that both women are allowed to participate in the widowhood rites. According to the ruling, “both Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni are to perform the widowhood rites,” ending weeks of tension that had stalled preparations for the musician’s funeral.
This directive is expected to finally clear the path for the organization of Daddy Lumba’s long-awaited funeral arrangements, which had been delayed due to the contentious dispute.
The high-profile legal battle was marked by dramatic exchanges, intense cross-examinations, and high emotional stakes. When court resumed on 25 November 2025, Akosua Serwaa presented what she claimed were original documents supporting her marriage in Bornheim, Germany. The defence, however, discredited the documents, arguing that they were introduced “at the eleventh hour” and contained suspicious inconsistencies.
Following weeks of hearings, Judge Smith Arthur concluded that neither party had sufficiently discredited the other’s marriage claim under customary law, leading to the unprecedented decision to recognize both women as lawful spouses.
The ruling brings closure to a deeply emotional chapter for the families involved and fans of the legendary musician. With the Court’s decision now settled, the late Daddy Lumba’s funeral preparations can proceed without further legal hindrance, ensuring both widows play their duly recognized roles in the traditional processes.
Though the full reasoning behind the judgment is still awaited, the entertainment world now watches closely as Ghana prepares to bid its final farewell to one of its most iconic musical figures.
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