By Daniel Bampoe
The Accra High Court has postponed to Friday, December 12, its much-anticipated ruling on an application seeking to block the release of the body of the late Highlife icon Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, as tensions deepen within the musician’s family over who has the legal and traditional authority to organise his funeral.
Since Daddy Lumba’s passing, disagreements have surfaced between his maternal family and other relatives over the rightful custodianship of his remains.
The funeral is tentatively scheduled for Friday, December 13, 2025. Until today’s pronouncement by the court it is not clear if the funeral will go ahead as expected.
The case was initiated by five maternal relatives who are seeking to prevent the release of the musician’s body and to halt any transactions involving the Daddy Lumba Memorial Foundation account without their approval.
Speaking to journalists after the hearing, counsel for the plaintiffs said they were prepared to “wait and abide by the decision of the court.”
The family members, Obaapanyin Afia Adomah Pakoso, Robert Gyamfi (also known as Wofa Yaw Poku Asuafua), Georgina Gyamfi, Ernestina Fosuh and Nana Afia Kobi Pakoso, are requesting that all funeral arrangements and the management of memorial funds be placed on hold until the court makes a final determination.
Those named as defendants in the suit include Kofi Owusu Abuakwa, CAL Bank Ghana and Transitions Funeral Home in Accra.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to order the funeral home to retain custody of Daddy Lumba’s remains and to restrain CAL Bank from permitting any withdrawals or transactions from the memorial account without their authorisation.
Under Akan customary law, the maternal lineage—known traditionally as the abusua—holds primary authority over the burial and funeral rites of a deceased person.
However, rival factions within the musician’s extended family have disagreed sharply on who should take charge, leading to multiple confrontations both privately and publicly.
The dispute has escalated in recent weeks as different groups announced conflicting funeral dates and attempted to assert control over key arrangements.
Maternal Family Seeks Full Authority
Members of Lumba’s maternal family filed an application at the Accra High Court praying for an injunction to stop any attempt to release the musician’s body without their consent.
They argue that:
Only the maternal family has the traditional mandate to take custody of his remains
No funeral rites can legally proceed without their approval
Any parallel arrangement violates custom and risks deepening family conflict
The plaintiffs also asked the court to clarify who has the legal right to manage any memorial funds and oversee official funeral planning.
After hearing arguments from both lawyers on Thursday, the presiding judge adjourned the ruling, indicating that the matter required careful consideration due to its cultural and legal implications.
Family Head Speaks: ‘We Will Respect the Court’
Addressing journalists after the adjournment, Kwaku Emmanuel Debrah, speaking on behalf of the Family Head and first defendant, Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, said the family accepts the court’s decision and remains committed to peace.
“We are waiting for the court ruling. We are one people. Wherever the ruling goes is a victory for us. If we understood each other, we wouldn’t have even come here,” he stated.
He added that the family would fully abide by whatever decision the High Court delivers.
Papa Shee: ‘Victory Is Coming’
Highlife artiste Papa Shee, who has publicly aligned with the maternal family, expressed confidence that the court would rule in their favour.
“We are glad the judge listened to both sides. I know there will be victory,” Papa Shee told the media.
He emphasised that the maternal family’s application was necessary to ensure that cultural protocols are respected and to prevent rival groups from prematurely taking possession of the late musician’s body.
Awaiting Friday’s Ruling
The court’s ruling on Friday will determine:
Who legally controls Daddy Lumba’s remains
Which family faction can officially organise the funeral
Who has authority over fundraising and memorial arrangements?
