Court Affirms Sinach As Sole Copyright Owner Of 'Way Maker', Dismisses N5 Billion Suit

Gospel singer Osinachi Joseph Egbu, popularly known as Sinach, has been declared the sole author and copyright owner of the globally celebrated song, Way Maker, following a Federal High Court ruling in Lagos.

Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa delivered the judgment on July 24, 2026, dismissing a N5 billion suit filed by music producer Michael Oluwole, who had sought co-authorship and co-ownership of the award-winning track.

The court ruled that Oluwole's involvement was limited to mixing and mastering the song for commercial release after he was contracted and paid for his services. The judge noted that Sinach had created and performed Way Maker internationally before engaging the producer, and that copyright ownership belongs to the individual responsible for the original creative content, including melody, harmony, lyrics, and arrangement.

The court also stated that technical contributors like producers do not automatically become authors unless they contribute original expressive content.

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