The Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a copyright suit filed against gospel music artiste Osinachi Joseph Egbu, popularly known as Sinach, affirming her as the sole author and owner of the globally acclaimed worship song Way Maker.
In Suit No. FHC/L/CS/402/2024, the plaintiff, Michael Oluwole, had sought declarations that he was a co-author and co-owner of the song. He also requested equitable sharing of proceeds from licences and assignments, alleged infringement of his performer’s rights, and demanded ₦5 billion in general damages alongside other reliefs.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa held that the plaintiff failed to establish any legal basis for claims of authorship or co-ownership of the musical work.
The court found that Way Maker had already been created and performed by Sinach, including an earlier performance in South Africa, before Oluwole was engaged to mix and master the existing recording for its commercial album release in 2015.
According to the judgment, the plaintiff was paid for his technical services under an oral agreement and did not contribute original creative elements that would qualify him as a co-author under copyright law.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa stressed that copyright authorship belongs to the individual who creates the original expressive content of a musical work, including its melody, harmony, lyrics or arrangement. The court ruled that technical contributors such as producers, sound engineers or session musicians do not automatically acquire authorship or ownership rights unless they contribute original expressive content.
The judge also noted that the plaintiff’s own testimony and admissions during cross-examination confirmed that Sinach presented an already existing song, while he was engaged to develop it into a recorded musical work for an agreed fee.
Describing the case as “gold-digging and unmeritorious,” the court dismissed the suit in its entirety.
The defendant was represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Emeka Etiaba, alongside Omolola Aderolu and O.G. Ofomata, while Matthew Enilobo appeared for the plaintiff.
Following the judgment, Sinach and Joseph Egbu, Chairman of Slic Inspire Ltd and Gosgem Records, the companies managing the gospel artiste, expressed appreciation to their legal team for securing the favourable verdict.
The judgment reaffirms Sinach’s sole authorship and ownership of the award-winning song Way Maker.
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