Private legal practitioner, Prince Benson Mankotam, has clarified that Priscilla Ofori Atta, popularly known as Odo Broni, was legally married to the late highlife musician, Charles Kwadwo Fosu (Daddy Lumba) and cannot be considered a “side chick” under Ghanaian law.
Speaking on Starr Showbiz with Feeling Daddyon Starr 103.5 FM on Saturday, November 29, 2025, the Senior Associate at Edfields Attorneys explained that evidence of customary marriage validated Odo Broni’s status as a lawful wife.
Mankotam highlighted that Ghanaian law recognises three types of marriages: Islamic (allowing up to four wives), customary, and monogamous marriages. He emphasised that customary marriages are contracted between families, not individuals, and carry full legal weight.
“Broni was not a side chick. There was evidence that they had performed customary rights and contracted a valid marriage under customary law,” he said. “So you can use this case as an example to see that the law protecting monogamous marriages is intact. Nobody can use that one.”
He also stressed that customary engagements, sometimes confused with Western-style engagements, do not constitute marriage until formal customary rites are performed between families.
Background
The clarification comes after the High Court in Kumasi ruled on November 28, 2025 that both Akosua Serwaa Fosuh and Odo Broni are lawful wives of Daddy Lumba, legally known as Charles Kwadwo Fosu. The ruling dismissed Serwaa’s request to be recognised as the sole surviving spouse of the musician.
Serwaa had argued that a civil marriage allegedly contracted in Germany in 2004 superseded all other marital claims. However, the court found she failed to produce an original or certified true copy of the marriage certificate, instead submitting extracts whose authenticity was questioned. The defence also argued that Serwaa’s customary marriage had been dissolved and that Odo Broni had lived with Lumba for over 15 years while contracting a valid customary marriage.
The court’s judgment allows both women to participate fully in widowhood rites and funeral and estate matters. Certified copies of the ruling are expected to be released on December 1, 2025.
