The High Court hearing the widowhood case involving the late Highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu (Daddy Lumba) took a dramatic turn on Monday when the plaintiff, Akosua Serwaa Fosu, unexpectedly tendered photographs she says are from their 2004 civil marriage ceremony in Bornheim, Germany.
The move caught the defense off-guard and immediately triggered strong objections. Defense lawyers described the photos as “surprise evidence,” questioning their authenticity and the timing of their submission.
Counsel for the plaintiff, William Kusi, introduced the photographs during the cross-examination of Abusuapanin Kofi Owusu, the 1st defendant and Ekuona family head of Parkoso. He asked the witness to identify the man in the images. After inspection, Abusuapanin Owusu confirmed that the person in the photos was indeed his nephew, Daddy Lumba.
His confirmation sparked heated objections from defense counsel Dominic Kwadwo Osei and Kwadwo Owusu, who argued that they had not yet cross-examined the individuals involved and could not verify the event or date captured in the photos. They insisted the plaintiff had introduced “new evidence at the eleventh hour.”
When asked by the presiding judge, Her Ladyship Dorinda Smith Arthur, where the photos came from, plaintiff counsel explained that they were part of marriage-related documents recently received from Germany and could not be filed earlier. Despite the objections, the court admitted the photographs into evidence.
The defense also came under scrutiny regarding photographs they had previously submitted. During further questioning, the plaintiff’s counsel asked Abusuapanin Owusu where he obtained those images. He said they were given to him by Priscilla Ofori (Odo Broni), the 2nd defendant, at the musician’s residence.
When asked why Odo Broni was wearing a wedding ring on her left hand in one of the images, Abusuapanin Owusu answered, “Marriage rings are normally worn on the 4th finger on the left hand.”
YOU CAN ALSO READ:
GAF Civilian Employee Killed in Sokode‑Juaso, Five Arrested – Yocharley
Richardson Makes History as First Openly Gay Miss England – Yocharley
A question about the occasion on which one particular photo of Lumba and Priscilla was taken drew more objections, but the court overruled them. The witness eventually said the picture was not from a wedding ceremony but simply showed “a couple dressed and ready to go out.”
The proceedings intensified when the plaintiff’s counsel suggested that one of the defense’s photographs may have been photoshopped. He pointed out body distortions and similarities with other documents, arguing that the image “cannot be a photograph of Daddy Lumba and Odo Broni.”
Abusuapanin Owusu maintained he was not present when the photo was taken. However, when reminded that an earlier defense witness had said no photos were taken during the alleged marriage ceremony at Lumba’s home, he agreed with that testimony.
The high-profile case—closely followed nationwide due to the late musician’s iconic status—is expected to reach a critical point this week. The High Court is set to deliver its judgment on Friday, November 28.
The ruling will determine who performs the widowhood rites.
