Persistent power outages (dumsor) forced the Kumasi High Court to twice suspend hearing in the high-profile case involving two women fighting to be recognised as the legitimate widow of the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba (Charles Kwadwo Fosu).
Presided over by Justice Dorinda Smith-Arthur, Friday’s proceedings were thrown into chaos when electricity went off at 2:49 p.m. and again just minutes after the judge returned from a forced adjournment.
The first blackout hit while William Kusi, counsel for plaintiff Akosua Serwaa Fosuh, was cross-examining Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu — head of Daddy Lumba’s Ekuona family at Parkoso and first defendant in the suit.
With court recorders’ computers shutting down mid-typing, a visibly frustrated Justice Smith-Arthur exclaimed: “My goodness! Did you save it?” After waiting more than 15 minutes without power, she adjourned the case to Monday, 24 November.
Ironically, lights returned three minutes after the courtroom emptied — only to go off again at 3:10 p.m. the moment the judge re-entered to resume sitting. Power was finally restored at 3:12 p.m.
Key highlights from the partial hearing:
Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu testified he saw Akosua Serwaa at the funeral of Daddy Lumba’s mother (Amma Saah) — the last time he saw her until the musician’s death.
He could not recall the exact year Amma Saah died (counsel suggested 2011).
He claimed knowledge of properties allegedly owned by Daddy Lumba in Germany based solely on a controversial 2018 letter (Exhibit DL1) purportedly written by Serwaa Fosuh’s lawyers demanding divorce and a share of assets in Germany, Tantra Hills, Dome, East Legon, and Adoato.
The letter also allegedly accused Daddy Lumba of fathering 17 children out of wedlock and committing domestic abuse that left Serwaa with a “nearly deformed lip.”
Serwaa Fosuh denies ever authorising the letter and is challenging its authenticity.
Akosua Serwaa Fosuh is seeking a declaration that she is the only surviving legal wife entitled to perform Daddy Lumba’s widowhood rites, and an order restraining Priscila Ofori (Odo Broni) — mother of six of the musician’s children — from holding herself out as the widow.
The case continues on Monday amid ongoing electricity challenges that many Ghanaians thought belonged to the past.
