A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a N5 billion copyright lawsuit against celebrated Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Joseph Egbu, popularly known as Sinach, affirming her as the sole author and copyright owner of the globally acclaimed worship anthem, Way Maker.

In a judgment delivered on July 24, 2026, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa ruled that music producer Michael Oluwole failed to prove his claim that he co-authored or jointly owned the award-winning song.

Oluwole had filed the suit in March 2024, asking the court to recognise him as a co-author and co-owner of Way Maker. He also sought a share of the revenues generated from the song and demanded N5 billion in damages, alleging infringement of his performer’s rights.

However, the court held that Oluwole’s role was limited to mixing and mastering an already completed work after he was contracted and paid for his professional services.

According to the judgment, the evidence presented before the court established that Sinach had composed and publicly performed *Way Maker* before engaging Oluwole for its studio production. The court noted that the song had already been performed internationally before it was recorded for commercial release.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa reiterated that copyright ownership belongs to the individual responsible for the original creative expression in a work, including its melody, lyrics, harmony, or arrangement.

He further emphasised that technical contributors such as music producers, sound engineers, and audio technicians do not automatically acquire authorship or ownership rights unless they make original creative contributions to the work.

Describing the claims as lacking merit, the judge dismissed the suit in its entirety and reaffirmed that Sinach retains the exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, and license *Way Maker* in accordance with Nigeria’s copyright laws.

Reacting to the verdict, Sinach and her husband, Joseph Egbu, Chairman of Slic Inspire Ltd. and Gosgem Records, welcomed the judgment, expressing satisfaction that the court had upheld her exclusive ownership of one of the world's most celebrated gospel songs.