The Federal High Court in Lagos, has dismissed a copyright lawsuit filed against gospel singer Osinachi Egbu, affirming her as the sole author and owner of her globally acclaimed song ‘Way Maker’.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/402/2024, Michael Oluwole had sought co-authorship and co-ownership rights to the hit song, claiming he contributed to its creation.
He also demanded a share of all income generated from the song’s licences and assignments, alongside ₦5 billion in general damages for the alleged infringement of his performer’s rights.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa ruled that Oluwole failed to prove he had any legal claim to the song’s authorship or ownership.
The court found that ‘Way Maker’ had already been written and publicly performed by Sinach, including during an earlier performance in South Africa, before Oluwole was engaged to mix and master the track for its commercial album release in 2015.
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Justice Lewis-Allagoa held that Oluwole was hired under an oral agreement solely to provide technical production services and had been paid for that work.
The judge further clarified that copyright ownership belongs to the individual who creates the original expressive elements of a musical work, including its melody, lyrics, harmony, or arrangement.
He added that producers, sound engineers, or session contributors do not automatically become co-authors unless they contribute original creative expression to the composition.
According to the court, Oluwole’s own testimony confirmed that Sinach presented him with an already existing song, which he merely developed into a recorded version in exchange for an agreed fee.
Describing the lawsuit as “gold-digging and unmeritorious,” the court dismissed all the plaintiff’s claims.
Sinach was represented by Emeka Etiaba, alongside Omolola Aderolu and O.G. Ofomata, while Matthew Enilobo appeared for the plaintiff.
Following the ruling, Sinach and Joseph Egbu, Chairman of Slic Inspire Limited and Gosgem Records, expressed appreciation to their legal team for securing the judgment.
The decision reaffirms Sinach’s exclusive authorship and ownership of ‘Way Maker’, ending the legal dispute over one of the most widely recognised gospel songs in the world.
