A High Court in Kumasi has adjourned to October 28, 2025, a case involving Akosua Serwaa, the wife of the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba, who is seeking a declaration as the only surviving spouse and the sole individual entitled to perform widowhood rites at his funeral.
Daddy Lumba passed away on July 26, 2025, with final funeral rites scheduled for December 6, 2025, at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
The planned funeral could be affected by the legal challenge filed by Akosua Serwaa against Kofi Owusu Fosu, head of Lumba’s external family, and Priscilla Ofori, popularly known as “Odo Broni,” regarding the organisation of the funeral and matters relating to the musician’s death.
During Thursday, October 16, proceedings, lawyers for the defendants informed the court that they had filed to challenge the applicant’s capacity to bring the matter before the court. However, the judge declined to hear the objection, stating that the issue was not before the court.
The plaintiff’s lawyer opposed the challenge, arguing that the business of the day was to move the injunction application that had been filed.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Her Ladyship Justice Dorinda Smith Arthur adjourned the case and urged the parties to settle the matter amicably.
She, however, emphasised that the case would be given priority if it proceeds.
Counsel for the defendants notified the court that they had filed a conditional appearance motion pending the hearing of the substantive case.
The court agreed and directed all parties to file their responses within 14 days, after which the case was adjourned.
Plaintiff’s counsel, William Kusi, said he does not anticipate the case extending to December, warning that it could affect the final funeral rites.
“We’re committed to protecting the integrity of Lumba. We’re ready to ensure the date for the funeral comes on,” he said.
The plaintiff is seeking a court order to restrain Odo Broni from publicly presenting herself as the surviving wife of the late musician.
She insists that she is the legally wedded wife and that neither she nor her children were consulted before the family announced the date for the final funeral rites, which they only discovered via social media.
Akosua Serwaa maintains that her marriage to Daddy Lumba was still valid and legally binding at the time of his death on July 26, 2025.
She claims that the family head, Kofi Owusu Fosu, informed her that she would not be allowed to perform the widowhood rites — a role traditionally reserved for the legal spouse.
She further alleges that following Daddy Lumba’s death, Odo Broni emerged, claiming to have been married to the late singer and to have had children with him.
According to the plaintiff, the family head has expressed an intention to allow Odo Broni to perform the widowhood rites — a move she argues is unlawful, as she maintains that Odo Broni was never legally married to the deceased.
She contends that unless the court intervenes, she will be unjustly denied her rightful position as the only legally recognised spouse of the late musician.
