In a recent legal development, a widow has taken her case to the Accra High Court in an effort to secure access to her late husband's home following his passing. Dianah Asafu Adjei, the plaintiff, has filed a writ against Abusuapayin Osei Tutu of Daaban, Kumasi, seeking the court's intervention to enable her participation in the funeral rites of her late husband, Engineer Elvis Asafu Adjei Boamah, also known as Osei Kwame Asaf.
Central to the plaintiff's request is the desire for uninterrupted access to her matrimonial home, as well as the prevention of any interference from the defendant in her ability to carry out widow rites and safeguard her interests as the surviving spouse of over 50 years.
The plaintiff has also expressed concern that the defendant may proceed with organizing the final funeral rites for her late husband, scheduled for September 29, 2024, potentially obstructing her from fulfilling her obligations as the deceased's widow and denying her rightful claim to a share in his estate.
In her statement of case and supporting affidavit, Madam Adjei has detailed the defendant's actions, including his purported expulsion of her from their matrimonial home in Adjiriganor, East Legon, and his explicit statement expressing a lack of need for her presence at the funeral rites.
Furthermore, the plaintiff has emphasized the significance of being able to perform widowhood rites and access her late husband's estate as integral to her rights under the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, citing her uninterrupted 50-year marriage as evidence of her entitlement.
Ultimately, Madam Adjei is seeking legal recourse to address the defendant's alleged trespass and wrongful conduct, while also petitioning for the court to award damages and legal fees.
As this case unfolds, it underscores the complexities surrounding inheritance rights and familial disputes in the wake of a loved one's passing. The outcome of this legal action will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the protection of spousal rights and the fair distribution of assets in accordance with Ghanaian law. We will continue to monitor this case as it progresses through the judicial system.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
