Private legal practitioner, Prince Benson Mankotam, has dismissed claims that the High Court ruling on the marital status of the late highlife musician, Charles Kwadwo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, sets a dangerous legal precedent, emphasising that matrimonial cases must be considered individually.
Speaking on Starr Showbiz with Feeling Daddy on Starr 103.5 FM on Saturday, November 29, 2025, the Senior Associate at Edfields Attorneys said each case should be evaluated on its unique circumstances and evidence.
Mankotam explained that the outcome of the Lumba case, which recognised both Akosua Serwaa Fosu and Priscilla Ofori Atta (popularly known as Odo Broni) as lawful wives, does not automatically alter the legal understanding of other marriages.
“For most of us who are not lawyers, some are saying that the judgment set a bad precedence and everything,” he said. “I don’t at all. When it comes to matrimonial causes, we have to treat each case on a case-by-case basis.”
READ: Lawyer Mankotam cautions against blaming counsel in Lumba marriage case
He highlighted that the legal questions in the case were specific to Daddy Lumba’s situation, particularly whether his alleged German marriage to Serwaa was monogamous and whether customary marriages in Ghana were recognised.
The High Court in Kumasi dismissed Akosua Serwaa Fosu’s request to be recognised as the sole surviving spouse of Daddy Lumba on November 28, 2025. The ruling held that both Serwaa and Odo Broni are lawful wives of the late musician.
Serwaa had argued that a civil marriage allegedly contracted in Germany in 2004 superseded other marital claims. However, the court noted she failed to produce an original or certified copy of the marriage certificate and instead submitted extracts, whose authenticity and consistency were questioned.
READ: Serwah Fosuh, Odo Broni are both lawful wives of Daddy Lumba – Court declares
The defence also argued that Serwaa’s customary marriage had been dissolved and that Odo Broni had lived with Lumba for more than 15 years, having contracted a valid customary marriage with him.
The court’s decision allows both women to perform widowhood rites and participate in funeral and estate matters. Certified copies of the judgment are expected on December 1, 2025.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
