A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a ₦5 billion copyright lawsuit against Nigerian gospel artiste Osinachi Joseph Egbu, popularly known as Sinach, and affirmed her as the sole author and copyright owner of the globally acclaimed song “Way Maker.”
Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa delivered the judgment on July 24, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/402/2024. The court held that music producer Michael Oluwole (also known as Maye) failed to prove claims of co-authorship or co-ownership of the musical work.
Oluwole, who produced the track for Sinach, filed the suit on March 8, 2024, through his counsel. He sought declarations recognising him as a co-author and co-owner, an order for equitable sharing of all fees from licences and assignments of the song, and ₦5 billion in general damages. He also alleged infringement of his performer’s rights, claiming he performed accompanying musical instruments on the sound recording, and requested a perpetual injunction restraining Sinach.
The court found that “Way Maker” was originally created and performed by Sinach, including a prior performance in South Africa, before Oluwole was engaged in 2015 to mix and master the already existing work for its commercial album release. Evidence showed he was paid for those technical services under an oral agreement.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa emphasised that authorship under copyright law vests in the person who creates the original expressive content, melody, harmony, lyrics or arrangement. A producer, engineer or session contributor does not become an author merely by providing technical or instrumental support unless they contribute original expressive content. The judge described the suit as “gold-digging and unmeritorious” and dismissed it in its entirety.
“Way Maker,” released commercially in 2015, became a major success, winning local and international awards and gaining widespread popularity in Nigeria and beyond. The dispute arose amid the song’s continued commercial impact through licences and performances.
Sinach’s legal team had maintained throughout the proceedings that she is the sole author, having composed, arranged and performed the song prior to the producer’s involvement. The ruling reaffirms her exclusive rights over the work’s reproduction, distribution, performance and licensing under Nigerian copyright law.
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