By Grace Zigah
An Accra High Court has granted the family of the late highlife icon Daddy Lumba permission to initiate legal action aimed at stopping a planned “second funeral” or “Celebration of Life” event scheduled for late March 2026.
The legal move, spearheaded by the family head, Abusuapanin, Kofi Owusu, seeks to restrain Papa Shee, Akosua Serwaa, and other organisers from proceeding with a two-day commemorative programme slated for March 28 and 29, 2026, in Accra.
The development was confirmed on 13 February 2026 by Dominic Kwadwo Osei, a lawyer with Baba Jamal and Associates, who is part of the legal team representing the Lumba family.
According to him, the court has formally granted the family leave to file a substantive injunction application, with the processes expected to be submitted in the coming days.
“The court granted us leave to file the necessary processes for an application for an injunction. There is an intent to file the application, and the reasons will be fully itemised in our processes next week,” Osei stated.
Family Rejects ‘Celebration of Life’ Label
Although organisers of the March event have described it as a commemorative “Celebration of Life”, the family of the late musician insists that the programme constitutes an unauthorised second funeral, which they say violates both customary norms and family authority structures.
According to the family, the official funeral of Daddy Lumba was already lawfully organised and conducted on December 13, 2025, under the leadership of the Abusuapanin, following prolonged legal and customary disputes over burial rights and funeral arrangements.
A History of Legal And Family Conflict
The conflict surrounding Daddy Lumba’s burial and funeral arrangements has been one of the most contentious in the entertainment history.
Following his death, disagreements emerged between different factions of the family, traditional authorities from his hometown, and individuals close to the late musician.
These disputes led to multiple court actions, including a temporary injunction in December 2025, which briefly halted funeral plans.
However, after legal conditions attached to the injunction were not met, the court allowed the burial and funeral to proceed in Kumasi, bringing an end to the first phase of the dispute.
Despite the December funeral, fresh controversy erupted when plans for a March 2026 “second funeral” surfaced, championed by Papa Shee and persons close to Akosua Serwaa.
The family maintains that no such event was sanctioned by the recognised family leadership.
Legal Battle Set To Resume
Lawyers for the family say they are confident in their legal position but acknowledge that the final outcome rests solely with the court.
“We will do everything in our power as lawyers to convince the court, but the final decision to grant or not to grant the injunction lies with the court,” the legal team stated.
The injunction application, once filed, is expected to reopen national debate over customary authority, family rights, and legacy control in the burial and commemoration of public figures in Ghana.
A Legacy That Continues to Stir Emotion
Daddy Lumba remains one of the most celebrated musicians, with decades of influence in highlife and contemporary Ghanaian music.
His death triggered an outpouring of national mourning, tributes from political leaders, musicians, fans, and institutions, and renewed calls for state recognition of his cultural contributions.
