Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, Odo Broni and Akosua Serwaa
Head of the extended family of legendary highlife musician Daddy Lumba, Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, has told a High Court in Kumasi that he was informed the late musician was married to Priscilla Ofori, also known as Odo Broni.
During cross-examination in the ongoing court case Abusuapanin Owusu said Odo Broni and some family members had told him about the marriage.
The musician, born Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, is also survived by Akosua Serwaa Fosuh, who is contesting the marriage in court.
Akosua Serwaa is praying the court to declare her the only surviving wife and to restrain Priscilla Ofori from identifying as the late musician’s wife.
According to Adomonline report, when asked by Counsel William Kusi whether he attended a marriage ceremony between Daddy Lumba and Odo Broni in 1991, Abusuapanin Owusu replied in the negative stating that he first met Odo Broni at Daddy Lumba’s residence after the musician’s death.
The family head added that he learned of the customary marriage in April 2010 at Tantra Hills. Upon receiving news of Daddy Lumba’s passing, Abusuapanin Owusu said he sent two of his nephews to confirm the news at the late musician’s residence. Priscilla Ofori, he said, was inconsolable and declined to speak to him over the phone when his nephews went to the house.
Abusuapanin Owusu explained that, before this, he had always known Akosua Serwaa as Daddy Lumba’s only wife. However, upon meeting Priscilla Ofori, he was surprised to learn that she had had six children with the late musician and was customarily married to him. She also introduced him to those who conducted the marriage rites and participated in the head-drink (tsir nsa) ceremony.
Abusuapanin Owusu further revealed that Daddy Lumba’s youngest sister, Faustina Fosuh, confirmed the marriage to him, though she is currently indisposed.
Following customary practices, Abusuapanin Owusu said he presented Akosua Serwaa with drinks to officially notify her family of the musician’s death. However, he was later informed by his family that Serwaa had returned her head drinks (tsir nsa), signalling the dissolution of her marriage to the late musician. The case is ongoing at the Kumasi High Court.