A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday dismissed a ₦5 billion copyright case against gospel singer Osinachi "Sinach" Egbu over her popular song, Way Maker.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa gave the ruling in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/402/2024. He stated that the plaintiff, music producer Michael "Maye" Oluwole, did not show any legal reason to claim he co-wrote or co-owned the song.
Way Maker was released in 2015 and became a hit worldwide. Many gospel artists, including Michael W. Smith and Leeland, have recorded it.
The song has been translated into many languages and has gained international fame, making it one of Nigeria's biggest gospel hits.
Mr Oluwole wanted the court to recognize him as a co-author and co-owner of Way Maker. He also sought a share of the money made from the song through licensing and copyright, plus ₦5 billion in damages for what he claimed was a violation of his performer’s rights.
In his ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa said Mr Oluwole could not prove he contributed anything original to the song.
The judge found that Sinach had already written, arranged, and performed Way Maker before Mr Oluwole got involved. Mr Oluwole's role was only to mix and master the final version of the song.
The court noted that he had already been paid for those services.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa dismissed all of Mr Oluwole's claims, saying they were not valid.
He explained that copyright belongs to the person who creates the original parts of a work, like the melody, lyrics, or arrangement.
The judge added that producers and sound engineers do not automatically become authors of a song just because they provide technical services, unless they add something original.
Sinach's legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Emeka Etiaba, argued that she finished writing, arranging, and performing Way Maker before Mr Oluwole joined the project.
The defense said the producer's role was only technical and did not give him any ownership rights to the song.
Mr Oluwole, represented by Justin Ige, claimed his work went beyond mixing and mastering. He told the court that he also took part in recording sessions and added musical elements to the song.
He argued that since there was no written agreement on ownership, both parties should share the money from the song equally.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa dismissed this argument, saying there was no evidence to support co-authorship.
PREMIUM TIMES reported in November 2024 that Mr Oluwole sued Sinach, claiming he contributed original parts to Way Maker and deserved co-authorship, co-ownership, and a share of the song’s money.
The case got a lot of attention because of the song's global success.
Way Maker won the GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year in 2020, which helped Sinach gain fame.
After the ruling on Friday, Sinach’s husband and manager, Joseph Egbu, praised the decision. He called it a confirmation of the creative integrity and ownership of the work.
Mr Egbu manages Slic Inspire Limited and Gosgem Records, the companies that handle Sinach’s music.
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