The High Court hearing the widowhood and inheritance case involving the late highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, witnessed dramatic scenes on Monday after the plaintiff, Akosua Serwaa Fosu, unexpectedly tendered photographs she claims are from their 2004 civil marriage ceremony in Bornheim, Germany.

The surprise move triggered immediate objections from defence lawyers, who accused the plaintiff of ambushing the court with unverified material just days before judgement is scheduled.

During cross-examination of the 1st defendant, Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, Ekuona family head of Parkoso and uncle to the late musician, plaintiff’s lawyer William Kusi presented a set of photographs. He asked the witness to identify whether the man captured in the images was indeed Daddy Lumba.

After examining the photos, Abusuapanin Owusu confirmed:
“Yes, that is my nephew, Daddy Lumba.”

The confirmation heightened the courtroom suspense, but it also prompted a swift and forceful objection from defence lawyers Dominic Kwadwo Osei and Kwadwo Owusu, who questioned the timing, origin, and authenticity of the photographs.

The defence described the images as “surprises”, arguing that they had not yet cross-examined key witnesses who could speak to the alleged ceremony. They insisted the plaintiff had introduced critical evidence at the last minute in a manner they considered unfair.

When asked by the presiding judge, Her Ladyship Dorinda Smith Arthur, counsel for the plaintiff explained that the photos were part of marriage-related documents recently received from Germany, only arriving shortly before the hearing.

Despite the defence’s objections, the court admitted the photographs into evidence.

The plaintiff’s team then shifted focus to scrutinise photographs earlier tendered by the defence.

Under cross-examination, Abusuapanin Owusu revealed that the images he submitted—showing Daddy Lumba and Priscilla Ofori, popularly known as Odo Broni and the 2nd defendant—were handed to him at the musician’s residence by Priscilla herself.

This prompted questions about the authenticity and context of the defence’s photos as well. When the plaintiff’s lawyer pointed out that Odo Broni appeared in one image wearing a wedding ring on her left hand, Abusuapanin Owusu said,
“Marriage rings are normally worn on the 4th finger on the left hand.”

But when pressed about the specific occasion captured in one photograph, the defence again objected. The judge overruled it, allowing the witness to answer.

He insisted that the picture was not from a wedding but only showed “a couple dressed and ready to go out.”

The atmosphere grew more charged when plaintiff counsel suggested that one of the photographs tendered by the defence may have been doctored. He cited inconsistencies in body proportions and similarities to other documents, arguing that the image “cannot be a photograph of Daddy Lumba and Odo Broni.”

The witness maintained his limited involvement:
“I was not there when the photograph was taken.”

But when reminded that a previous defence witness had testified that no photographs were taken during the alleged marriage ceremony at the late musician’s residence, Abusuapanin Owusu conceded that this was correct.

The legal battle—centred on who legally qualifies as the spouse of the late highlife icon—has generated intense public interest due to Daddy Lumba’s stature and complex personal history.

The High Court is expected to deliver its much-awaited judgement on Friday, November 28.

The ruling will determine not only the legally recognised widow but also which party gains legitimate claim to aspects of Daddy Lumba’s estate.

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