COURT DISMISSES AKOSUA SERWAA’S INJUNCTION APPLICATION TO HALT DADDY LUMBA’S FUNERAL
A Kumasi High Court has ruled that the late highlife legend's extended family holds authority over his funeral arrangements under Ashanti custom, clearing the way for burial proceedings to move forward.
A Kumasi High Court has dismissed an injunction application by Akosua Serwaa that sought to halt the funeral of highlife icon Daddy Lumba.
Presiding Justice Dorinda Smith-Arthur affirmed that according to Ashanti custom, authority over the mortal remains of the deceased rests with the extended matrilineal family, not solely with the immediate spouse. “The wider family cannot be barred,” the judge stated, clarifying that the right to remove the body from the morgue belongs to the broader clan, or “abusua.”
The ruling represents a significant setback for Akosua Serwaa, who has been engaged in a highly publicized legal battle to establish her authority as Daddy Lumba’s lawful widow. The court determined that restraining the extended family would not be “just nor convenient” and refused the application based on established Supreme Court rules.
With the injunction dismissed, Daddy Lumba’s family can now proceed with funeral arrangements while the core legal question of spousal recognition moves to the next phase. The court has ordered all parties to file necessary documents by October 31, with a Case Management Conference scheduled for November 14.
The main hearing is set to begin on November 17, with a final judgment expected on November 25. This ruling allows the legendary musician’s family to proceed with burial rites in accordance with the same cultural traditions he celebrated throughout his storied career.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
