Court Dismisses N5bn Copyright Suit Against Sinach, Declares Her Sole Owner of ‘Way Maker’

A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a N5 billion copyright lawsuit 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 acclaimed worship song, Way Maker.

In a judgment delivered on July 24, 2026, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa ruled that music producer Michael Oluwole failed to prove his claim that he was a co-author or co-owner of the internationally celebrated song.

Oluwole had approached the court in March 2024, seeking legal recognition as a co-creator of Way Maker. He also demanded a share of the revenue generated from the song and sought N5 billion in damages, alleging infringement of his performer’s rights.

However, the court found that the producer’s role was limited to mixing and mastering the song after Sinach had already composed and performed it.

According to the judgment, the evidence presented before the court established that Sinach had written and publicly performed Way Maker before engaging Oluwole’s professional services for its commercial production.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa emphasized that copyright ownership belongs to the person responsible for creating the original expressive elements of a work, including its melody, harmony, lyrics, and arrangement.

The judge further clarified that technical contributions by producers, sound engineers, or studio technicians do not automatically confer authorship unless they make original creative contributions to the composition itself.

Describing the lawsuit as lacking merit, the court dismissed all the plaintiff’s claims and reaffirmed Sinach’s exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, license, and commercially exploit Way Maker under Nigerian copyright law.

Reacting to the judgment, Sinach and her husband, Joseph Egbu, Chairman of Slic Inspire Ltd. and Gosgem Records, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, describing it as a victory for justice and creative ownership.

Opinion: A Landmark Ruling for Nigeria’s Creative Industry

The judgment is significant not only for Sinach but also for Nigeria's broader music industry. It reinforces a fundamental principle of copyright law: technical involvement in producing a song is different from creating the original artistic work.

Producers, engineers, and other collaborators play vital roles in bringing music to life, but ownership of a composition depends on who creates its original expressive elements unless there is a contractual agreement stating otherwise. The ruling provides greater clarity for musicians and industry professionals about the distinction between creative authorship and production services.

As Nigeria's music industry continues to expand globally, disputes over intellectual property are likely to become more common. This decision highlights the importance of having clear contracts and properly documenting creative contributions from the outset. Ultimately, protecting creators' rights while ensuring fair recognition for collaborators remains essential to building a stronger and more transparent creative ecosystem.