The legal battle surrounding the funeral of highlife icon Daddy Lumba has intensified, as the Accra High Court has issued a fresh directive requiring the late musician’s maternal family—who are applicants in the case—to deposit GH¢2 million by 2:00 p.m. today. Failure to comply will clear the way for the funeral to proceed as planned on Saturday, December 13.
According to the court, the GH¢2 million serves as a safeguard to cover funeral expenses already incurred should the burial be halted after the case is fully resolved.
This new directive follows an earlier injunction that barred family head Kofi Owusu from organizing the funeral and prevented Transitions Funeral Home from releasing the body.
Applicants Challenge the Order
Lawyers for the applicants strongly opposed the latest directive, arguing that the court lacked the authority to alter its earlier interlocutory orders without a formal motion filed and served. They pointed out that the injunction was granted around 10:00 a.m. today, and no application seeking a variation had been presented to them.
They further argued that securing and depositing GH¢2 million in under two hours was unrealistic and posed significant logistical difficulties.
The applicants urged the court to maintain its original orders and insisted that any responsibility to cover funeral costs should only arise after the final judgment. They instead proposed to sign an undertaking, as previously suggested by the court.
Additionally, the legal team warned that such a swift variation could mislead the public into thinking circumstances had changed since the initial ruling.
Respondents Push for an Even Higher Amount
Respondents’ lawyers countered that substantial expenses had already been incurred—including invitations to dignitaries and payments to contractors. They argued that GH¢2 million was inadequate and called for the amount to be increased to over GH¢5 million, emphasizing that contractors would begin demanding payments as early as the next day.
“It is only fair that the applicants put their money where their heart and mind is,” counsel argued, describing the reviewed directive as fair and balanced, giving both parties financial accountability.
They also requested that the court shorten the payment deadline and order Transitions Funeral Home to release the body if the applicants fail to pay, provided outstanding fees are covered.
The respondents further sought clarity on the status of the Daddy Lumba LBG Foundation account, noting a previous directive separating funeral funds from the foundation’s existing accounts.
Court’s Decision
In its ruling, the court stressed that it was making no new order regarding the Daddy Lumba LBG Foundation or the second respondent.
However, it ruled that if the applicants fail to deposit the GH¢2 million by the stated deadline, Transitions Funeral Home must release the body, allowing preparations for the funeral to move forward. Outstanding mortuary and service fees are to be settled promptly.
With this directive, the court has set clear conditions: either the applicants meet the payment requirement or the funeral will proceed as scheduled.
