A ₦5 billion copyright lawsuit against well-known Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Joseph Egbu, better known by her stage name Sinach, was dismissed by a Federal High Court in Lagos, confirming that she is the only author and copyright holder of the widely appreciated song “Way Maker.”
On July 24, 2026, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa gave the ruling, finding that Michael Oluwole, the music producer, had not proven his claims to co-authorship and co-ownership of the winning song.
In March 2024, Oluwole went to court to request legal acknowledgement as a co-author and co-owner of Way Maker.
Alleging violation of his performer’s rights, he also sought ₦5 billion in damages and a portion of the song’s profits.
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.
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According to the judgment, “Evidence before the court showed that Sinach had created and performed the song before engaging Oluwole’s services”.
She had performed Way Maker abroad before its studio creation, the court heard.
According to Justice Lewis-Allagoa, the person in charge of a work’s unique creative content—such as its melody, harmony, lyrics, or arrangement—owns the copyright
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 dismissed all of the plaintiff’s allegations and declared the lawsuit to be unmeritorious.
The court further reiterated that, in accordance with Nigeria’s copyright laws, Sinach, as the music’s inventor, has the only authority to reproduce, distribute, perform, and license the song.
Sinach and her husband, Joseph Egbu, who heads Gosgem Records and Slic Inspire Ltd., responded to the ruling by saying they were pleased with the result.
