Fresh controversy has erupted over the final resting place of Ghana’s late highlife icon Daddy Lumba, after authorities within the Ga Traditional Council reportedly ordered that his body be exhumed from his alleged burial site at his private residence in East Legon, Accra.
The directive from the GaDangme traditional leadership comes amid rising tensions involving the late musician’s family, law enforcement, and controversial public statements by social commentator Cyril George Carstensen Lutterodt, popularly known as Counsellor Lutterodt.
Burial Controversy
The dispute centres on claims that Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kwadwo Fosu, was secretly buried within his private residence in East Legon following his death in July 2025.
The allegation has triggered concerns among traditional authorities who maintain that burial within private homes is forbidden under Ga customary practices, particularly when the required traditional rituals have not been performed.
According to sources within the traditional council, the matter was brought before the Gborbu Wulomo Nuumo Borketey Laweh Tsuru XXXIII, the spiritual leader of the GaDangme State, who subsequently summoned the family head to explain the circumstances surrounding the burial.
Abusuapanin Fails To Honour Traditional Summons
The late musician’s family head, Victor Kofi Owusu Boahen, popularly known as Abusuapanyin Tupac, was invited to appear before traditional authorities at the Nungua Palace during a sitting scheduled to address the matter.
However, sources indicate that the Abusuapanyin failed to honour the invitation, an action that reportedly contributed to the traditional authorities’ decision to order the exhumation of the body to allow the appropriate customary procedures to be performed.The burial controversy has also deepened existing divisions within Daddy Lumba’s extended family. Following weeks of disagreements over funeral arrangements, estate administration, and leadership decisions, members of the family reportedly moved to destool Victor Kofi Owusu from his position as Abusuapanyin.
Family members are said to have accused him of mishandling matters relating to the musician’s funeral and bringing division to the family.
Counsellor Lutterodt’s Comments Trigger Police Action
The situation intensified after Counsellor Lutterodt publicly raised concerns about the alleged burial site during a radio discussion.
In his remarks, the controversial commentator urged some youth in Accra to verify the claims that Daddy Lumba had been buried at his East Legon residence, suggesting they should move to the location with pickaxes if the allegations proved true.
Authorities say the comments had the potential to incite public unrest.
Youths Storm Residence, Police Intervene
Shortly after the comments circulated widely online, a group of young men reportedly stormed Daddy Lumba’s East Legon residence in what witnesses described as a “Rambo-style” confrontation, demanding to locate the burial site.
The incident reportedly created panic within the household, leaving members of the musician’s family frightened. Sources say the children living at the residence were too scared to attend school for days following the disturbance.
Officers from the Ghana Police Service later intervened to restore order and prevent further escalation.
Arrest and Bail of Counsellor
Following the incident, police arrested Counsellor Lutterodt on March 11, 2026, on charges of offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace under Section 207 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
He was subsequently arraigned before the Adentan Circuit Court, where he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of GH₵50,000 with two justified sureties.
Ga State Confirms Exhumation Directive
Speaking on behalf of the GaDangme traditional authorities, Rev. Gyamfi Ankrah confirmed that the council had ordered the exhumation of the body because the alleged burial violated customary laws governing Ga land.
He noted that the exact procedures for carrying out the exhumation were still being considered by traditional authorities.
Long-Running Funeral And Legal Disputes
The latest development adds to a series of controversies that have surrounded Daddy Lumba’s funeral and burial since his death on July 26, 2025.
Although the highlife legend was given a grand funeral ceremony in Kumasi in December 2025, disputes soon emerged among family members and associates regarding burial arrangements, spousal recognition, and control of the musician’s estate.
At one point, the Accra High Court had intervened in funeral arrangements following legal challenges brought by some family members.
Legacy Overshadowed by Dispute
Daddy Lumba remains widely celebrated for his immense contribution to Ghanaian highlife music and his influence across generations of musicians and fans.
However, months after his passing, disagreements involving family leadership, burial customs, legal challenges, and traditional authority interventions continue to dominate public discourse about the late musician’s legacy.
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