Sinach Wins ₦5bn ‘Way Maker’ Copyright Battle as Court Declares Her Sole Owner of Hit Song

Nigerian gospel singer Sinach has emerged victorious in a ₦5 billion copyright battle over her globally acclaimed song, Way Maker, after a Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed a claim seeking to recognise music producer Michael Oluwole as a co-author and co-owner of the song.

Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa, in a judgment delivered on July 24, 2026, ruled that Oluwole failed to establish his claim to authorship or ownership of the widely celebrated gospel anthem.

Oluwole had approached the court in March 2024, seeking recognition as a co-author and co-owner of *Way Maker. He also demanded a share of the revenue generated from the song and ₦5 billion in damages, alleging infringement of his performer’s rights.

However, the court found that Oluwole’s contribution was limited to mixing and mastering the song after Sinach had already created and performed it.

According to the judgment, evidence showed that Sinach had created and performed Way Maker before engaging Oluwole for studio production services. The court further noted that she had performed the song internationally before its studio production.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa explained that copyright ownership rests with the person responsible for the original creative expression of a musical work, including its melody, harmony, lyrics or arrangement.

The judge further clarified that technical contributors such as producers, engineers and sound technicians do not automatically become co-authors simply because they worked on the production of a song.

Describing Oluwole’s case as unmeritorious, the court dismissed all his claims and reaffirmed Sinach’s exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform and license Way Maker under Nigerian copyright law.

Sinach and her husband, Joseph Egbu, who chairs Slic Inspire Ltd. and Gosgem Records, expressed satisfaction with the judgment.

The ruling brings an end, at least at the trial court level, to a closely watched copyright dispute over one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognised gospel songs.