The Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a ₦5 billion copyright lawsuit filed against gospel singer Sinach, affirming her as the sole author and owner of her internationally celebrated song, Way Maker.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/402/2024, was instituted by music producer Michael Oluwole, also known as Maye, who claimed he co-authored the song and was entitled to a share of royalties, licensing revenue and other financial benefits arising from the work.
In addition to seeking recognition as a co-owner, Oluwole alleged infringement of his performer’s rights and demanded ₦5 billion in general damages alongside other reliefs.
Delivering judgment, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa held that the producer failed to establish either authorship or co-ownership of the musical work.
The court found that Way Maker had already been composed and performed by Sinach, including at an earlier performance in South Africa, before Oluwole was engaged in 2015 to mix and master the recording for its commercial album release.
According to the judgment, the producer was hired under an oral agreement and received payment for the technical services he rendered.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa explained that copyright ownership belongs to the individual who creates the original expressive elements of a musical work, including its melody, lyrics, harmony or arrangement.
The court noted that producers, sound engineers and session contributors do not automatically become authors simply by providing technical or instrumental support unless they contribute original creative expression to the composition.
The judge also observed that evidence presented during the trial, including admissions made by the plaintiff, showed that Sinach had brought an already existing song to him for recording and production.
Describing the case as “gold-digging and unmeritorious,” the court dismissed the suit in its entirety.
Sinach, represented by Emeka Etiaba (SAN) alongside Omolola Aderolu and O.G. Ofomata, consistently maintained that she was the sole composer and owner of Way Maker. Her legal team argued that the producer’s role was limited to mixing and mastering the track and that he had been fully compensated for those services.
The defence also told the court that Sinach had already built a successful music career before releasing Way Maker and that the song had been composed, arranged and performed with other artistes before the plaintiff became involved in the recording process.
Following the judgment, Joseph Egbu, Chairman of Slic Inspire Ltd and Gosgem Records, the companies managing Sinach, joined the singer in thanking the legal team for securing the favourable verdict.
The ruling reinforces Sinach’s exclusive ownership of Way Maker, one of the most successful gospel songs to emerge from Nigeria.
Released to global acclaim, the song became the first Nigerian gospel track to surpass 100 million views on YouTube in March 2019. It has received multiple international honours, including the GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year, has been translated into more than 50 languages, and has been recorded by over 60 Christian artists, including Michael W. Smith and Bethel Music.
