High Court Orders Daddy Lumba’s Maternal Family to Pay GH₵2 Million by 2 p.m. or Allow Funeral to Proceed

The legal battle over the funeral of the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba intensified on Friday after the Accra High Court ordered his maternal family, the applicants in the ongoing dispute—to deposit GH₵2 million by 2:00 p.m. today or allow the scheduled funeral to proceed on Saturday, December 13.

According to the court, the amount is meant to offset funeral expenses already incurred, should the burial later be halted following the final determination of the case. The directive comes after an earlier ruling restraining the family head, Kofi Owusu, from organising the funeral and barring Transitions Funeral Home from releasing the musician’s body.

Applicants Challenge Court’s New Directive

Lawyers for the applicants strongly opposed the order, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to vary its earlier interlocutory injunction without a formal motion on notice. They pointed out that the injunction had only been issued around 10:00 a.m., and no application for variation had been served on them.

They also stressed that raising GH₵2 million in under two hours was practically impossible, describing the directive as logistically unfeasible.

The applicants urged the court to maintain the original orders, insisting that any obligation to pay should arise only after the substantive matter is decided. Instead, they proposed signing an undertaking, as earlier advised by the court.

The legal team further cautioned that revising the order so soon after its issuance could create a misleading public perception that new circumstances had emerged.

Respondents Push for Higher Payment

Counsel for the respondents dismissed the objections, arguing that substantial costs had already been incurred—including invitations to dignitaries and payments to contractors. They insisted that GH₵2 million was inadequate, urging the court to increase the amount to over GH₵5 million.

“It is only fair that the applicants put their money where their heart and mind is,” one lawyer argued, describing the court’s review as fair, just, and equitable, allowing both sides to assert their claims.

The respondents also asked the court to reduce the payment window, permit Transitions Funeral Home to release the body if payment is not made, and sought clarification regarding the Daddy Lumba LBG Foundation account, from which the court had earlier ordered a separation of funeral proceeds.

Court Clarifies Orders

In its final ruling, the court stated that no directives were being made regarding the Daddy Lumba LBG Foundation or the second respondent. However, it ordered that:

• If the applicants do not pay the GH₵2 million by the 2:00 p.m. deadline,
• Transitions Funeral Home is to release the body, and
• The funeral may proceed as planned, provided all outstanding fees are settled.

The court reiterated that its earlier orders remain in force, setting the stage for the funeral to continue unless the applicants meet the financial requirement imposed.