By Daniel Bampoe
The Accra High Court has lifted the injunction that had temporarily halted the funeral arrangements of highlife icon Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, after applicants seeking to block the ceremony failed to comply with a court-ordered payment of GH¢2 million by the stipulated deadline.
A Long-Running Family Rift
Lumba’s funeral has been at the centre of a bitter dispute that erupted soon after his passing on July 26, 2025, at age 60.
The conflict, rooted in Akan customary traditions regarding burial authority, has pitted his maternal family against his family head (Abusuapanyin) Kofi Owusu.
Last week, the maternal relatives filed an application seeking to stop the funeral, arguing that they had been sidelined and that custom required they lead the arrangements.
The court responded by temporarily halting the funeral and instructing the parties to return for a determination on procedural fairness.
Court Initially Flags Procedural Concerns
In its earlier observations, the court acknowledged affidavits suggesting the immediate family—Lumba’s widow and children—may not have been adequately consulted in the lead-up to the planned funeral set for this weekend in the Ashanti Region.
The judge stressed the importance of ensuring that both customary practice and family unity were upheld.
However, to maintain balance and prevent undue delay, the judge issued a conditional directive: the applicants were to pay GH¢2 million into court by 2:00pm on December 12, representing part of the costs already incurred by the funeral organisers.
Applicants Fail to Meet Deadline — Case Struck Out
Lawyers for both sides were recalled to the High Court early Friday. The applicants—members of the maternal family—failed to meet the financial requirement.
The failure resulted in the immediate striking out of their application, effectively lifting the injunction.
The decision removes the last legal obstacle and allows the funeral to proceed as scheduled.
Family Breathes a Sigh of Relief
Counsel for the family head, Thomas Kwadwo Osei, described the ruling as a major relief, noting that the family can now focus fully on preparations for Saturday’s ceremony.
“The court has spoken. This brings clarity and peace of mind to the family. We are grateful that the funeral can now continue,” he stated outside the courtroom.
Fans and Relatives Already in Kumasi
The injunction had caused anxiety among fans and relatives who had already travelled to Kumasi, with preparations reaching their peak before the legal challenge disrupted the process.
Many feared the funeral could be postponed indefinitely, deepening existing tensions within the fractured family.
With the injunction lifted, all funeral activities will resume, bringing closure closer for supporters of the legendary musician whose influence shaped Ghana’s highlife landscape for nearly four decades.
What Comes Next
The funeral will now proceed on Saturday as initially planned under the direction of the family head, although observers say the lingering disagreements point to wider issues around customary authority, modern legal processes, and the need for improved family collaboration.
