The ongoing legal drama surrounding the burial of highlife legend Daddy Lumba took a dramatic turn today, as the Accra High Court issued a new directive to his maternal family amidst the heated dispute over funeral arrangements.
With the clock ticking toward Daddy Lumba’s scheduled funeral on Saturday, December 13, the court has ordered the late musician’s maternal relatives, who are contesting the burial plans, to deposit GH₵2 million by 2:00 p.m. today. The amount, the court explained, is meant to cover funeral-related expenses already incurred, in case the burial is later halted by a final court decision.
This latest order comes after an earlier injunction stopped family head Kofi Owusu from organizing the funeral and prevented Transitions Funeral Home from releasing Daddy Lumba’s body.
Lawyers for the maternal family objected strongly to the new directive. They argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to change its earlier injunction without a formal motion on notice. The legal team pointed out that the injunction was granted at 10:00 a.m. today and that no application for variation had been served, making the sudden order for a massive deposit both procedurally and logistically impossible.
Raising GH₵2 million in under two hours, they added, was an insurmountable challenge. The applicants asked that the original injunction remain in place, proposing instead to sign an undertaking to pay funeral costs if required after the final resolution of the case. Their lawyers also cautioned that the court’s swift change in orders could send a misleading message to the public about the case’s status.
On the other side, legal counsel for the respondents insisted that the applicants should cover the significant costs already incurred for the funeral, including invitations to dignitaries and contractor payments. They argued that the GH₵2 million figure was not enough, suggesting that the amount should be raised above GH₵5 million. They further urged the court to shorten the payment window and to authorize the release of Daddy Lumba’s body if the payment was not made, provided that all outstanding funeral home fees were settled.
The respondents also sought clarification regarding the Daddy Lumba LBG Foundation account, as an earlier court order had directed that funds for the funeral be kept separate from the foundation’s finances.
Ruling on the matter, the court clarified that no order was currently being made regarding the foundation or the second respondent. However, it held firm on the GH₵2 million condition: if the applicants fail to pay by the 2:00 p.m. deadline, Transitions Funeral Home is to release the body and allow the funeral to proceed, as long as outstanding fees are paid.
With the court’s orders now clear, the stage is set for either a dramatic last-minute payment or the continuation of Daddy Lumba’s funeral as originally planned—a conclusion watched closely by fans and family alike as the legacy of a music icon hangs in the balance.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
