By Naa Shormei Odonkor
Kumasi, Nov 28, GNA – The Kumasi High Court Five has declared both Ms Akosua Serwaa and Ms Priscilla Ofori (OdoBroni), as legitimate widows of the late Charles Kojo Fosu(Daddy Lumba).
The court has, therefore, ordered the Abusuapanin and family of the highlife legend to recognise the two women as such, and allow them to perform the widowhood rites for Daddy Lumba.
The court, presided by Justice Dorinda Smith Arthur, in her ruling, noted that Daddy Lumba married the two women under the customary law of Ghana and he intended for peace to remain between his wives before his demise.
Justice Dorinda Smith Arthur, cited a video made on DaddyLumba’s 60th birthday celebration last year, which was admitted to court as evidence.
In the video, he recognised both women as his wives.
She pointed out that the verdict was to promote peace and enlighten citizens on some sensitive issues about marriages.
This was because the case had generated great interest in Ghana and beyond.
She said the court rejected the document presented to it as the original marriage certificate of the civil marriage between Daddy Lumba and Ms Serwaa because it was an extract and not an original marriage certificate.
Additionally, the document failed to prove beyond doubt that Lumba and Ms Serwaa married under the Civil Law of Germany because it lacked authenticity, certification and identity.
As a result, she ruled out the case filed by Ms Serwaa seeking the court to declare her as the sole widow of the deceased.
The court, however, made the judgement on the basis of the marriage contracted under the customary law of Ghana.
Justice Dorinda Smith Arthur explained that a marriage certificate counted in proving that a person was married under the civil or ordinance law, unlike the customary marriage where other factors were considered.
Additionally, persons who marry under a foreign law must present the certificate to the Ghana Embassy in that country to be issued a certificate of the marriage.
This, she noted, Ms Serwaa failed to do to authenticate, certify and give identification of her acclaimed civil marriage certificate under the German law.
The Judge, therefore, advised citizens to study the laws of the country so as not to be ignorant regarding important issues.
She asked the parties to uphold peace to ensure a befitting burial for the Ghanaian music icon.
Ms Akosua Serwaa on October 16, 2025, filed a suit at the court against the Abusuapanin of Daddy Lumba, Opanin Kofi Owusu, and Ms Priscilla Ofori, seeking to be allowed to perform the widowhood rite as the sole widow of Daddy Lumba.
However, the court after hearing the submissions of the counsels of all the parties, stated in a 74-paged ruling that both Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni were both customarily married to Daddy Lumba and, therefore, had the right to perform the widowhood rites.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/George-Ramsey Benamba