A dramatic turn of events unfolded in Kumasi this week as the Manhyia Palace imposed a traditional fine on Kofi Owusu, head of the family of the late highlife icon Charles Kwadwo Fosu (widely known as Daddy Lumba), deepening the legal and customary intrigue surrounding the late musician’s marital status.
The saga began on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, during a high-stakes court hearing triggered by a suit from Akosua Serwaa, Daddy Lumba’s first wife.
Serwaa is contesting the legal recognition of her marriage to the legendary artist, raising questions about who should be acknowledged as Daddy Lumba’s legitimate spouse in the aftermath of his passing.
Tensions soared after the court session when Ernestina Akosua Bimpomaa, sister of the departed musician, invoked the revered Great Oath of the Asantehene—Ntam Kɛseɛ—right outside the courthouse.
In Asante tradition, invoking this oath is a serious act that immediately escalates a case to the highest traditional authority: the Manhyia Palace.
The courts, according to tradition, are compelled to step aside, allowing the Palace to take over adjudication.
Responding to the invocation, the matter was swiftly transferred for a traditional hearing, presided over by the Saamanhene and an assembly of esteemed Manhyia chiefs.
During the session, Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu was penalised for not contesting the Great Oath.
The chiefs, referencing customary obligations, fined him two sheep—a sanction symbolic of the seriousness of oath-related disputes in Asante culture.
Tradition dictates that these sheep are handed over to the Palace, where they will be used in purification rites.
These rituals, performed by the chiefs, are believed to neutralise the spiritual effects of invoking the Great Oath and protect all parties from supernatural consequences.
“Cases involving the Great Oath must be resolved at the Manhyia Palace, as courts are not empowered to handle them,” the chiefs reaffirmed during the hearing.
The ongoing legal battle has drawn significant public attention due to Daddy Lumba’s legendary status in Ghana’s music scene.
Observers note that the dispute highlights the enduring influence of customary law and spiritual belief in modern Ghanaian society, especially in matters of inheritance, marriage, and legacy.
In the meantime, the formal court case remains active, with the next hearing scheduled for November 12, 2025. Legal analysts expect further developments as both customary and civil proceedings move forward in tandem.
Daddy Lumba, who passed away in 2024, was one of Ghana’s most influential highlife musicians, known for classic hits and his impact on generations of fans. The resolution of his marital and inheritance issues will likely set a precedent for how traditional and modern legal systems intersect in the country.
Stay tuned for updates as this unique blend of tradition and law continues to unfold at the Manhyia Palace and in the courts.