Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has delivered a decisive judgment in favour of award-winning gospel music minister Sinach, dismissing a N5 billion copyright infringement lawsuit filed by a music producer who claimed co-ownership of her globally celebrated worship anthem, Way Maker. In a ruling delivered on Friday, July 31, 2026, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa of the Lagos Judicial Division reaffirmed Sinach's sole authorship and ownership of the song, describing the plaintiff's case as "gold-digging and unmeritorious" and dismissing the suit in its entirety.
The lawsuit, filed by music producer Michael Oluwole, also known as Maye, sought a court declaration recognising him as a co-author and co-owner of the song. He also demanded a share of all fees from licences and copyright assignments, alleged infringement of his performer's rights, and claimed N5 billion in general damages. But Justice Lewis-Allagoa ruled that the plaintiff failed to prove any legal basis for his claims, holding that Sinach had already composed, written, and publicly performed the song before Oluwole was engaged to mix and master an existing recording for commercial release in 2015.
According to the court, the evidence clearly showed that Oluwole was hired for technical services—mixing and mastering the track—for which he was paid an agreed fee under an oral agreement. The judge emphasised that under Nigerian copyright law, authorship vests in the natural person who creates the original expressive content of a musical work, including its melody, harmony, lyrics, or arrangement. "A producer, engineer, or session contributor does not become an author merely by providing technical or instrumental support unless they create original expressive content," the court held. The judge also noted that the plaintiff's own testimony during cross-examination confirmed that he merely developed an already existing song into a recorded musical work for a fee.
Sinach, represented by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Emeka Etiaba, with Omolola Aderolu and O.G. Ofomata, had consistently maintained that she is the sole author of Way Maker. She argued that she had achieved international recognition before the song's release and that the track was composed, arranged, and performed in collaboration with other artists before Oluwole became involved. Her legal team successfully argued that the producer was fully compensated for his technical contributions and had no claim to royalties or ownership.
Following the judgment, Joseph Egbu, Chairman of Slic Inspire Ltd and GOSGEM Records Ltd—the companies that manage Sinach—expressed profound gratitude to the legal team for their diligent and professional representation. "We appreciate the legal team led by Emeka Etiaba, SAN, for securing this favourable judgment," Egbu said. The ruling officially reaffirms Sinach as the sole author and copyright owner of Way Maker, bringing an end to a legal battle that had cast a shadow over one of the most successful gospel songs in history.
Since its release in 2015, Way Maker has become a global worship anthem, transcending cultural and denominational boundaries. In March 2019, it became the first Nigerian gospel song to surpass 100 million views on YouTube. It has since won multiple awards, including the GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year, and has been translated into over 50 languages. The song has been covered by more than 60 international Christian artists, including Michael W. Smith and Bethel Music. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it gained renewed global recognition after being performed by leading worship teams worldwide, and in 2020, it was among the most-played songs in churches across the United States, also serving as an anthem during protests following the death of George Floyd.
The court's ruling is being hailed as a landmark decision for intellectual property rights in the Nigerian music industry. Legal experts say the judgment sets a clear precedent: technical contributors—such as producers, engineers, and session musicians—do not automatically acquire copyright ownership simply by providing services. The ruling reinforces the importance of clear contractual agreements and the principle that authorship belongs to the creator of original expressive content.
For Sinach, the verdict is a vindication of her creative work and a resounding affirmation of her position as one of Africa's most influential gospel music ministers. The singer, who has sold out venues such as Wembley Arena in London, continues to tour globally, spreading the message of hope and worship that has made Way Maker a household name in Christian communities worldwide.
As the legal dust settles, the judgment serves as a powerful reminder to creators and collaborators alike: while technical contributions are valuable, they do not confer ownership unless original creative expression is contributed. The case has also sparked conversations about the need for formal agreements in the music industry to prevent disputes over royalties and ownership. For now, Sinach and her team are celebrating a hard-fought victory, while fans around the world continue to sing the song that has become a global anthem of faith and resilience.
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