Daddy Lumba Marriage Saga: Court Recognizes Both Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni as Widows

Kumasi, Nov 29, – The Kumasi High Court Five has ruled that both Ms. Akosua Serwaa and Ms. Priscilla Ofori (popularly known as Odo Broni) are legally recognized as widows of the late Charles Kojo Fosu, widely known as Daddy Lumba.

The court ordered the Abusuapanin and family of the highlife legend to acknowledge both women as his widows and permit them to perform the customary widowhood rites in honor of Daddy Lumba.

Presiding Judge Dorinda Smith Arthur stated in her judgment that the late Daddy Lumba married both women under Ghana’s customary law, with the intention of maintaining peace between the two wives before his passing. She referenced a video from the musician’s 60th birthday celebration last year, admitted as evidence, in which Daddy Lumba acknowledged both women as his wives.

The judge emphasized that the ruling aimed to promote peace and provide clarity on sensitive marital issues, given the widespread public interest in Ghana and beyond. She further declared inadmissible the document presented by Ms. Serwaa as the original marriage certificate of a civil marriage between her and Daddy Lumba, noting it was merely an extract lacking authenticity and certification.

The court ruled that Ms. Serwaa failed to prove that she and the deceased were legally married under German civil law, as required. Instead, the judgment was based on marriages recognized under Ghanaian customary law. Judge Smith Arthur explained that unlike customary marriages, which consider varied factors, a marriage certificate is essential to prove civil marriages. Further, individuals married abroad must have their foreign marriage certificate certified by the respective embassy, which Ms. Serwaa did not provide for her claimed German marriage certificate.

The judge advised the public to familiarize themselves with national laws to avoid ignorance and called on both parties to uphold peace, ensuring a befitting burial for the Ghanaian music icon.

Ms. Akosua Serwaa had filed a lawsuit on October 16, 2025, against the Abusuapanin of Daddy Lumba, Opanin Kofi Owusu, and Ms. Patricia Ofori, seeking to be recognized as the sole widow authorized to perform widowhood rites. However, after hearing all parties’ submissions, the court stated in a detailed 74-page ruling that both Ms. Akosua Serwaa and Ms. Odo Broni were customarily married to Daddy Lumba and are entitled to perform the widowhood rites.

This ruling brings an end to the controversy, officially recognizing both women’s marital status under customary law, granting them equal rights in funeral and widowhood traditions for the late highlife legend.

GHBUSS