The Accra High Court has granted an injunction filed by the maternal family of the late highlife legend Daddy Lumba, restraining the first respondent, Kofi Owusu, the family head (Abusuapanyin), from organising his burial, which was scheduled for this weekend in the Ashanti region.

The court also barred the third respondent, Transitions Funeral Home, from releasing the body until the substantive case is fully resolved.

In its ruling, the court noted that affidavits before it suggested the immediate family had been sidelined in the funeral arrangements and stressed the need to consider the merits of the case before any burial takes place. The judge acknowledged that delaying the funeral could lead to increased costs but underscored the importance of due process and proper family involvement.

While affirming that the family head has the authority to lead funeral preparations, the court held that such authority must be exercised in consultation with the immediate family.

The court subsequently directed the first respondent to convene a stakeholder meeting within three weeks to agree on a new burial date. It further ordered that all funds raised for the funeral be separated from accounts belonging to the Daddy Lumba Memorial Foundation. The applicants were instructed to file an affidavit with the court registrar.

The case stems from disagreements following Daddy Lumba’s death on July 26, 2025, at age 60. A dispute between his maternal relatives and the family head over who should lead the funeral and how funds should be managed escalated, reflecting long-standing Akan customs that give the maternal lineage significant authority in burial matters.