A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a N5 billion copyright suit filed against acclaimed Nigerian gospel singer, Osinachi Joseph Egbu, popularly known as Sinach, affirming her as the sole author and copyright owner of the globally celebrated song, Way Maker.
Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa, who delivered the judgment on July 24, 2026, ruled that music producer, Michael Oluwole failed to establish claims of co-authorship and co-ownership of the award-winning song.
Oluwole had approached the court in March 2024, seeking legal recognition as a co-author and co-owner of Way Maker.
He also demanded a share of revenues generated from the song and requested N5 billion in damages, alleging infringement of his performer’s rights.
However, the court held that the producer’s involvement was limited to mixing and mastering an already existing work for commercial release after being contracted and paid for his services.
According to the judgment, “Evidence before the court showed that Sinach had created and performed the song before engaging Oluwole’s services”.
The court noted that she had performed Way Maker internationally prior to its studio production.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa stated that copyright ownership belongs to the individual responsible for the original creative content of a work, including its melody, harmony, lyrics, or arrangement.
He stressed that “Technical contributors such as producers, engineers, and sound technicians do not automatically become authors unless they contribute original expressive content”.
The judge described the suit as unmeritorious and dismissed all claims brought by the plaintiff.
The court further reaffirmed that Sinach, as the creator of the song, holds exclusive rights over its reproduction, distribution, performance, and licensing under Nigeria’s copyright laws.
Reacting to the judgment, Sinach and her husband, Joseph Egbu, who chairs Slic Inspire Ltd. and Gosgem Records, expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
