Akosua Serwaa Fosu, the plaintiff in the ongoing widowhood case involving the late highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumb
Akosua Serwaa Fosu, the plaintiff in the ongoing widowhood case involving the late highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, caught the defense off guard on Monday when she submitted photographs she claims show their civil marriage ceremony held in 2004 in Bornheim, Germany.
The unexpected evidence sparked strong objections from defense lawyers, who described the images as “surprises” and questioned both their authenticity and timing.
Plaintiff’s counsel, William Kusi, presented the photos during the cross-examination of Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, the first defendant and Ekuona family head of Parkoso, part of Lumba’s extended family. He asked the witness to identify the late musician in the photographs. After reviewing them, Abusuapanin Owusu confirmed that the man in the images was indeed his nephew, Daddy Lumba.
However, the defense, led by Dominic Kwadwo Osei and Kwadwo Owusu, objected to the admission of the photographs, arguing that the occasion and date could not be verified and that the plaintiff had introduced new evidence at the eleventh hour.
When the presiding judge, Her Ladyship Dorinda Smith Arthur, inquired about the origin of the photos, plaintiff counsel explained that they were part of marriage-related documents recently received from Germany, and the delay in obtaining them accounted for the late submission. The court admitted the images as evidence.
Tensions Over Conflicting Photos
The defense’s own photographs also came under scrutiny. During cross-examination, Abusuapanin Owusu revealed that he obtained the images from Priscilla Ofori—also known as Odo Broni—the second defendant, at Daddy Lumba’s residence.
When questioned why Odo Broni appeared wearing a wedding ring on her left hand in the images, he stated, “Marriage rings are normally worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.”
One particular photo prompted further objection from the defense, but the court overruled it. Abusuapanin Owusu explained that the image did not depict a marriage ceremony but showed “a couple dressed and ready to go out.”
Allegations of Manipulated Evidence
The courtroom grew tense as plaintiff’s counsel suggested that one of the defense’s photos may have been doctored, pointing out inconsistencies in body proportions and similarities with other documents. He argued that the image “cannot be a photograph of Daddy Lumba and Odo Broni.”
Abusuapanin Owusu maintained he was not present when the photograph was taken. However, he later agreed that an earlier defense witness had testified that no photos were taken at the alleged marriage ceremony at Lumba’s home.
The case, which has captured national attention due to the legacy of the late music icon, is expected to reach a crucial point as the High Court prepares to deliver its judgment on Friday, November 28.
The ruling will determine the legally recognized spouse of Daddy Lumba and the rightful claimant to his estate.