The Accra High Court has delivered a dramatic twist in the ongoing dispute over the final funeral rites of highlife icon Daddy Lumba, ordering the late musician’s maternal relatives to deposit GH¢2 million with the court by 2:00 pm today, Friday, December 12, 2025, or the body will be released to the Abusuapanyin for burial tomorrow as originally planned.
Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah, presiding over the case, recalled lawyers for both parties on Thursday afternoon and imposed the hefty financial condition to cover potential losses and expenses already incurred by the family head, Kofi Owusu (the Abusuapanyin), and Transitions Funeral Home in preparation for Saturday’s funeral.
“The applicants sought an injunction to stop the funeral. If at a very late hour. Fairness demands that if the burial is eventually halted or postponed, those who have incurred substantial cost must be protected,” the judge stated.
The directive comes barely 24 hours before the scheduled funeral and burial of the legendary musician, who passed away on July 26, 2025, at age 60.
The maternal relatives of Daddy Lumba (real name Charles Kwadwo Fosu) obtained an interim injunction earlier in the day, restraining Mr Kofi Owusu, the recognised Abusuapanyin, from proceeding with funeral arrangements and barring Transitions Funeral Home from releasing the body.
They argued that Akan customary law requires wide consultation with the immediate family (including the maternal side) before final rites, and accused the Abusuapanyin of sidelining them while allegedly mismanaging funds meant for the funeral.
In the earlier ruling, the court acknowledged the need for broader consultation and directed the Abusuapanyin to organise a stakeholder meeting within three weeks to agree on a new date if necessary.
However, with funeral preparations far advanced and invitations already sent out, the court on Thursday introduced the GH¢2 million bond as a condition for maintaining the injunction beyond today.
“If the applicants are unable to deposit the amount by 2:00 pm, the interim order will automatically lapse and the respondents will be at liberty to proceed with the funeral on Saturday,” the court ruled.
Lawyers for the maternal family pleaded for a reduction in the amount, describing it as “punitive,” but the trial judge maintained the figure, noting the short notice and the significant expenses already made.
As of the time of filing this report, it remained unclear whether the applicants would be able to raise the GH¢2 million within the deadline.