BY Grace Zigah
Fresh controversy has emerged in the aftermath of the funeral of the highlife icon Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, after social media rumours questioned whether the body displayed in his coffin was truly his.
The claims, which circulated widely online, have now been firmly dismissed by the musician’s family, who describe them as false, hurtful and deliberately misleading.
Speaking publicly for the first time on the issue, Faustina Fosu, a sister of the late musician, categorically rejected suggestions that a “toy” or substitute body had been placed in the coffin during the funeral rites.
According to her, the allegations are completely unfounded and disrespectful to both the deceased and the grieving family.
Eyewitness Account From the Family
Faustina Fosu told journalists on December 14, 2025, that she personally saw her brother after his death and was in no doubt about his identity.
“He is the one. I saw him myself and he was looking good when I saw him. People are alleging that it was a toy in the coffin, but that is not true,” she stated.
Her comments come at a time when public scrutiny around Daddy Lumba’s burial remains intense, following months of legal battles, family disagreements and competing narratives over how his funeral should be conducted.
Context of Funeral Tensions
Daddy Lumba’s death in July 2025 triggered one of the most contentious funeral disputes in recent Ghanaian entertainment history.
Conflicts between sections of his family—particularly between the Abusuapanin-led faction and some of his wives and relatives—played out in court and in the media. Injunctions were filed to halt burial arrangements, while counter-statements and public accusations deepened mistrust among the parties involved.
Against this backdrop of tension, speculation surrounding the authenticity of the body in the coffin gained traction online, feeding into existing suspicions and divisions.
Lumba’s Final Wishes
Faustina Fosu also used the opportunity to clarify why certain aspects of the funeral rites differed from public expectations.
She revealed that Daddy Lumba had clearly stated his wishes regarding how his body should be handled long before his death.
According to her, the late musician instructed the family not to publicly display his face and did not want to be laid in state in the conventional manner.
“Daddy Lumba said it before he died that we shouldn’t reveal his face and he also didn’t want us to lay him in public,” she explained.
Initially, the family intended to strictly follow these instructions. However, the spread of misinformation online forced them to adjust their approach in order to put doubts to rest.
Balancing Truth And Respect
Faustina said the decision to lay the body in public—while keeping the face covered—was a compromise aimed at countering false narratives without violating Daddy Lumba’s personal wishes.
“People know how to fabricate lies. That’s why we decided to lay him in public, but we covered his face just to honour his wish,” she added.
Family members say the rumours are not only false but also risk overshadowing Daddy Lumba’s towering legacy as one of the most influential musicians.
