A dramatic moment unfolded at the Kumasi High Court when the elder sister of the late highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosuh — popularly known as Daddy Lumba — broke down in tears during cross-examination, forcing the judge to pause proceedings.

Justice Dorinda Smith-Arthur directed Ernestina Fosuh, also called Akosua Brempomaah, to take water and regain composure before the session could continue.

She is testifying in a case filed by Akosua Serwaa Fosuh, who is asking the court to affirm her as the lawful wife of the late musician and the rightful person to perform widowhood rites.

The emotional outburst followed a probing question from counsel for the second defendant, Priscilla Ofori, widely known as Odo Broni.

The lawyer had asked why the musician named his first child with Akosua Serwaa “Calvyn Schindler” rather than choosing a family name, despite Ernestina’s claim that her brother confided in her about virtually everything.

When the hearing resumed, Ernestina recounted that Daddy Lumba returned to Ghana in 2013, adding that she visited him frequently and often stayed at his Tantra Hills home.

She said she first met Odo Broni when the latter gave birth to her son, Junior, and later learned that the couple had another child five months afterward — a baby girl named after their late mother, Amma Saah.

Responding to questions, she confirmed that their mother passed away nearly 24 years ago and that she has since served as the maternal figure for her siblings.

She also emphasised that Daddy Lumba regarded her as a mother figure throughout his life.

Ernestina acknowledged that one of the children of Daddy Lumba and Odo Broni had died. She also stated that the musician and Priscilla Ofori had three children living at the Tantra Hills residence, with three more children registered at the East Legon home.

However, the central issues before the court remained unresolved — whether Daddy Lumba performed the required in-law funeral rites at Akosua Serwaa’s mother’s burial, and whether the musician and Serwaa were legally married before his passing.

Ernestina insisted that her brother fully honoured the Nseyie rites, stating that he attended the funeral with other family members and that she had video evidence.

She rejected suggestions that the couple’s marriage deteriorated before the musician’s death or that Serwaa returned the “Ti Nsa” (head drink), which would signify the end of the marriage.

She maintained that Serwaa still holds valid health insurance and labour documents for spouses in Germany, which in her view confirms the marriage remains valid.

The court also heard testimony from Osei Bonsu Kantanka, who was summoned from the Manhyia Palace to provide expert insights on Asante customs relating to marriage and funeral traditions.

The case is expected to continue on Friday.