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The Kumasi High Court has delivered a landmark judgment, recognizing both Odo Broni (Priscilla Ofori Atta) and Akosua Serwaa Fosuh as valid spouses of the late Ghanaian highlife legend Daddy Lumba. This decision brings an end to months of fierce legal and public debate over who should perform the musician’s widowhood rites, control his estate, and bear the title of “widow.
Justice Dorinda Smith Arthur ruled that both women are entitled to marital rights, recognition in funeral and estate matters, and authority to participate in widowhood rites. The court noted that Akosua Serwaa failed to provide an original certified marriage certificate, submitting extracts instead, while Odo Broni had lived with Daddy Lumba for over 15 years and had six children with him.
The dispute began when Akosua Serwaa filed a suit claiming she was the sole legal widow, citing a civil marriage contracted in Germany in 2004. The defence argued that Serwaa’s marriage had been customarily dissolved, and Odo Broni was the rightful spouse under customary law.
The court’s decision acknowledges that under Ghanaian family law, simultaneous customary and civil marriages are independently valid, allowing for multiple marital claims.
The court further indicated that a letter allegedly issued by Mercer and Company to the plaintiff, where she was said to have threatened initiating divorce proceedings, did not constitute proof that divorce proceedings had actually begun.
The ruling leaves both Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni legally recognised as the surviving wives of the late musician.
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.
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.
