High Court Judge Criticises Double-Marriage Practice in Late Lumba Case
A High Court Judge in Kumasi, Her Ladyship Justice Dorinda Smith-Arthur, has expressed concern over the increasing trend where couples perform both customary and ordinance marriages, describing the practice as needless and an avoidable drain on resources.
Justice Smith-Arthur noted that Ghanaian law recognises each marriage type as independently valid, making the duplication of ceremonies unnecessary. She made the remark while hearing a case involving the late highlife legend, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba.
The suit was filed by Akosua Serwaa Fosuh, who is asking the court to declare her the only lawful surviving spouse of the musician and to grant her exclusive rights to perform his widowhood rites. She is also seeking an order to prevent Priscilla Ofori—popularly known as Odo Broni—from presenting herself as Lumba’s wife. The head of the Ekuona family at Parkoso, Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, is the first defendant in the matter.
Meanwhile, the musician’s nationality has become a central issue in the proceedings. During cross-examination by counsel for the applicant, William Kusi, Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu was questioned about Lumba’s nationality at the time of his death. The witness responded that the celebrated artiste “was a Ghanaian at the time of his death.”
With all witnesses fully cross-examined, the Kumasi High Court is expected to deliver its ruling on Friday, November 28, 2025.
