A key witness in the legal tussle over the marital status of the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba has cast doubt on the validity of documents presented by Akosua Serwaa, insisting she failed to provide a legally recognised marriage certificate.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, James Beniako Boateng, a star witness for Priscilla Ofori Atta, also known as Odo Broni, said the certificate Maame Serwaa submitted bore no signature and was not certified by the German consulate, making it invalid.
Mr Boateng maintained that Daddy Lumba customarily married Odo Broni on 10 April 2010 in Accra, with both families present and all traditional rites performed.
“I was nominated as a neutral witness. Daddy Lumba married Odo Broni on April 10, 2010. He married her legitimately and completed all the customary rites. The only issue is that they didn’t take pictures during the ceremony; they only took photos afterward. Both families were represented, and the ceremony took place at Daddy Lumba’s house in Accra. We are satisfied with the judgment because, from the beginning, that’s what the Abusuyapanin indicated was necessary for peace.
“However, based on the evidence presented in court, the judge did not accept it. What was presented was not a marriage certificate but rather a family book. The marriage certificate for Akosua Serwaa had no signature and was not certified. Additionally, they did not have the documents certified by the German consulate before submitting them to the court. Furthermore, the documents presented were not original,” he noted.
His comments follow a landmark ruling by the Kumasi High Court recognising both Odo Broni and Akosua Serwaa Fosuh as valid spouses of the late musician.
The judgment brings an end to months of public and legal dispute over who holds the rightful title of widow and who should perform Daddy Lumba’s widowhood rites.
Both women have now been authorised to jointly undertake the rites.
READ ALSO:
