The Kumasi High Court has, in a landmark ruling, recognised both Odo Broni (Priscilla Ofori Atta) and Akosua Serwaa Fosuh as valid spouses of the late Ghanaian highlife legend Daddy Lumba.
The decision ends months of fierce legal and public debate over who should perform the musician’s widowhood rites, who controls his estate, and who rightfully bears the title of “widow”.
This means they can both perform the widowhood rites.
While the reasoning for the full ruling is yet to be made available, it is the view of the court that Akosua Serwaa did not provide original marriage certificates of the supposed civil marriage between Daddy Lumba and the plaintiff.
Evidence before the court was extracts and not a true, certified marriage certificate. This ruling is expected to pave the way for the late music icon’s funeral to take place.
Background to the Case
After the death of Daddy Lumba on 26 July 2025, a bitter dispute erupted between two women who claim to be his rightful spouse.
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Akosua Serwaa Fosuh filed a suit on 3 October 2025, asking the court to declare her as the only surviving lawful spouse, a claim based on a civil marriage she said she contracted with the musician in Bornheim, Germany, in 2004.
She also sought to restrain the head of the musician’s extended family, Kofi Owusu Fosu, and Odo Broni from claiming any right to funeral and widowhood rites.
The defendants opposed the claim, arguing that under customary practice, Serwaa’s marriage had been dissolved when she allegedly “returned the head drinks” to the family, a traditional act recognising separation, and that Odo Broni, who lived with Daddy Lumba for over 15 years and bore him six children, was the rightful widow.
What Happened in Court
On 25 November 2025, the court was presented with the supposed original civil-marriage documents from Germany, including notary-certified translations and associated paperwork, supporting Akosua
The defence challenged these documents, citing inconsistencies in font styles and notary signatures, arguing the evidence was submitted “at the eleventh hour.”
The presiding judge, Dorinda Smith Arthur, noted that under Ghanaian family law, simultaneous customary and civil marriages are redundant, as each is independently valid. This observation, made during the hearing, effectively opened the door to recognising multiple marital claims simultaneously.
With cross-examinations completed, the court reserved judgment. On the verdict day, it ruled that both women are to be recognised as spouses of Daddy Lumba, entitling them to certain marital rights and recognising their status in relation to funeral, estate and widowhood rites.
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