A High Court in Kumasi has ruled that Priscilla Ofori Atta, popularly known as Odo Broni, and Akosua Serwaa Fosuh are both lawful spouses of the late highlife musician Daddy Lumba, bringing to an end weeks of legal dispute and public argument over who qualifies as his widow, who controls his estate and who should perform widowhood rites.
The decision means the two women are both entitled to take part in the widowhood rites and removes legal obstacles to the musician’s funeral.
Although the full written judgment has not yet been released, the court ruled that Akosua Serwaa Fosuh failed to prove a valid civil marriage in Germany, after presenting extracts rather than an original marriage certificate.
As a result, the court declined to recognise her as the sole surviving lawful spouse.
The court also examined the status of customary marriages involving the late musician. It found that Odo Broni was customarily married to Daddy Lumba prior to his death and acknowledged the existence of a customary marriage involving Akosua Serwaa. However, her claim of a separate civil marriage was rejected.
According to the ruling, Akosua Serwaa Fosuh could not be recognised as the only widow because the evidence “did not prove her claim beyond a reasonable doubt”.
The case arose after Daddy Lumba died on 26 July 2025. Akosua Serwaa later went to court seeking exclusive recognition as the musician’s lawful wife, saying she married him in Bornheim, Germany, in 2004. She also attempted to stop the family head, Kofi Owusu Fosu, and Odo Broni from taking part in funeral arrangements.
But the defence countered that her marriage had been dissolved under customary law when she allegedly “returned the head drinks” and insisted that Odo Broni, who lived with the musician for more than 15 years and had six children with him, was his rightful widow.
The judge ordered that both women be acknowledged in funeral and widowhood rites, stressing there should be no hindrance to the burial.
