Security was beefed up at the Kumasi High Court on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, to maintain law and order following what many described as an assault on family members, including the father of Priscilla Ofori, popularly known as Odo Broni, the second defendant, after court proceedings on Tuesday, November 18.
When proceedings resumed on Thursday, November 19, Ghana Weekend learned that the incident had been brought to the court’s attention, prompting police deployment to the court premises. It is expected that security will now be maintained on all sitting days until the presiding judge delivers a final judgment.
Inside the courtroom, Ernestina Fosu, sister of the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba and a witness for the plaintiff, Akosua Serwaa, successfully completed cross-examination by defence counsel. She reiterated that the marriage between her late brother and the plaintiff remained valid until his death, insisting that he never married the second defendant, Priscilla Ofori, but only shared children with her.
The court also heard testimony from Safo Kantanka, an expert in Asante culture and tradition. He took the stand to provide cultural context relevant to the case. Defence counsel had earlier questioned the propriety of the subpoena that brought him before the court, but the presiding judge ordered that proceedings continue. The witness was permitted to answer questions from plaintiff’s counsel, while the defence counsel was granted leave to conduct further background verification.
The judge scheduled Thursday, November 20, for the defence to complete these checks, with cross-examination of the expert expected to resume on Friday, November 21.
Daddy Lumba passed away on July 26, 2025. The case before the court stems from Akosua Serwaa’s request to be recognised as the only surviving spouse entitled to perform widowhood rites at his funeral, and to restrain Odo Broni from presenting herself publicly as the late musician’s wife. The family has scheduled his final funeral rites for December 13, 2025, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
By:Doris Lonta
