Odo Broni (Priscilla Ofori Atta) and Akosua Serwaa Fosuh have both been declared by the Kumasi High Court to be the spouses of the late Daddy Lumba.

This means they can both perform the widowhood rites.

The landmark ruling, 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”.

The court held that Akosua Serwaa failed to submit the original marriage certificates for the alleged civil marriage between Daddy Lumba and the plaintiff. What she presented were only extracts, not certified copies.

With this decision, the path is now clear for the late music icon’s funeral to proceed.

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.Graphic Online

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.

Prophet Kumchacha has warned that three members of the late Daddy Lumba's family may loose their lives if the family fails to bury the late musician peacefully.

This comes at a time where the two partners of the musician are in court seeking redress on who should be recognized as the legal wife.

Kumchacha explained that his dreams indicated that anyone who blocks Lumba’s funeral or disrupts harmony among his family members would face harsh consequences, as Lumba’s spirit would return for three people after the burial.

“I also saw that Daddy Lumba said anyone who refuses to allow his burial to be held peacefully, and for peace to reign in the family, he will come and take three persons with him to the graveyard,” he stated.

He added that the late musician is seen in handcuffs and weeping in the realms of the spirit.

Thus, he foresees tragedy unfolding from the spiritual realm, which would manifest in the physical world should the burial go ahead on December 13, 2025.

“I have had several dreams and as I speak, Daddy Lumba’s spirit is sad. In the spiritual realm, he is in handcuffs and weeping. If they try to bury him on December 13, something tragic will happen spiritually and it will be felt in the physical world as well. They should move the funeral to around the sixth month of next year,” Kumchacha UTV’s United Showbiz on November 22, 2025.

The burial date for Daddy Lumba has been changed from 6th December to December 13, 2025.

According to report, the date extension will provide the family with ample time to know the cause of the musician's death before his burial.

The late Daddy Lumba's elder sister, Ernestina Fosu has declared that there will be no burial for Daddy Lumba until the actual cause of his death is known.

After a court appearance, Ernestina told Adum TV that until the truth is known, no amount of court ruling or family decision would compel her to allow the funeral to proceed.

“The funeral will not be held on December 6. We did not seek an injunction because we are mad. We still don’t know what killed my brother. We cannot allow people to rush with his funeral,” she said.

However, she has expressed readiness to organize the funeral on the scheduled December 6 if she receives a clear explanation about what caused Daddy Lumba’s death before then.

“There will be no problem if we find out about the cause of Daddy Lumba’s death before December 6. But if we don’t find out what killed my brother, I won’t allow my family to bury my brother, Charles,” she said.

Ernestina Fosu has earlier indicated that she is not prepared to organize Daddy Lumba's funeral on Dec 6.

She made this known to the media in the aftermath of a court proceeding at the Kumasi High Court on October 28, 2025.

“I am not ready for my brother’s funeral on December 6, 2025,” she stated firmly in a video shared on social media.

Akosua Serwaa filed an injunction against the late musician’s funeral scheduled for December 6, demanding that she be recognized as the only surviving wife of the musician and not Odo Broni, who is currently claiming that title.

While the court has yet to rule on the spousal status of Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni, the Kumasi High Court has dismissed an injunction application that sought to halt the burial and funeral of the late legend.

The judgment allows the family to go ahead with burial plans as originally arranged.

Madam Serwaa’s lawyer, William Kusi, insisted that his client was the musician’s only legally recognized wife and that her rights were being ignored in the funeral preparations. He supported his argument with a civil marriage certificate reportedly issued in Germany as evidence of their union.

In July this year, a statement by the counsel for the Fosu family confirmed that the music veteran passed on July 26, after a short illness.

He succumbed to the illness at the Bank Hospital in Accra, per reports.

The statement read: "With profound sorrow and deep grief, the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana's beloved musical icon, Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away earlier today, Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a short illness."

"Daddy Lumba was more than a musician; he was a cultural icon whose music touched countless lives. His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience."

Daddy Lumba was renowned for his incredible talent as a singer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, and producer.

With an illustrious career that has spanned over three decades, Daddy Lumba was widely regarded as the greatest and most influential musician in Ghanaian history.

Many artists in Ghana, including Ofori Amponsah, Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, Paa Solo of Sibo Brothers, Oheneba Kissi, KiDi, and others, consider him their major inspiration in the music industry.

Daddy Lumba was born 60 years ago to Mr. Johnson Kwadwo Fosuh and Madam Comfort Gyamfi, also known as Ama Saah, in Nsuta, near Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Both of his parents were teachers, and he was the second of three siblings.

His educational journey began in Nsuta Kyebi, and he completed junior high school at Suame Methodist, Kumasi in 1979. Subsequently, he attended Adu Gyamfi Senior High School in Jamasi, but later transferred to Juaben Senior High School, where he completed his secondary education in 1984.

Daddy Lumba’s music career took off in the early 80s when he formed the Nkwanta Wesley Singers, gaining fame at the Anokye Krom Cultural Center.

During his time at Juaben Senior High School, he led the school choir and composed the song “Lumba Lumba,” dedicated to the freedom fighters in South Africa.

This song’s popularity earned him the nickname “Daddy Lumba”, which later became his stage name. He also formed the Lumba Brothers band during his school days, which included his girlfriend at the time, Theresa.

After completing school, Daddy Lumba, with the help of his high school sweetheart Theresa Abebrese, traveled to Germany. There, he met Ernest Nana Acheampong, and they formed another Lumba Brothers group, recording their debut album, “Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom,” in 1986. Financial constraints delayed the album’s release until 1989, and eventually, the duo split.

Daddy Lumba then launched his solo career and released his debut solo album, “Obi Ate Meso Buo,” in 1990. The album received immense popularity and critical acclaim, featuring classics like the title track and “Theresa,” dedicated to his ex-lover. He has since released 33 albums, including notable ones like “Sika Asem,” “Aben Wo Ha,” “Wo Ho Kyere,” “Awosoo,” “Give Peace A Chance,” and “Ahenfo Kyiniye.” His latest project, “Ofon Na Edi Asem Fo,” was released in December 2022, reuniting him with longtime collaborator Kweku Mensah.

In addition to his own success, Daddy Lumba is renowned for nurturing the careers of budding artists who went on to become legends in their own right.

Some of these artists include Felix Owusu, for whom he produced the debut album “Vida” in 1992, Afia Ampofowaa, Kwabena Sunkwa, Ofori Amponsah with the “Woho Kyere” album in 1999, Selina Orleans, Akua Serwaa Bonsu, Borax, Ateaa Tina, and many others.

His contributions to Ghanaian music and the support he provides to upcoming talents have solidified his status as an iconic figure in the country’s music industry.

With his passion, talent, and dedication to the craft, Daddy Lumba continues to be a role model for aspiring musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the rich musical landscape of Ghana.