Court Rules: Sinach is Sole Owner of “Way Maker”, Dismisses ₦5bn Lawsuit against Gospel Star

After nearly two years in court, gospel icon Sinach has won the battle for her biggest hit.

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday dismissed a ₦5 billion copyright suit filed against her, affirming that she is the sole author and exclusive owner of the global worship anthem “Way Maker.”

—The Case That Dragged For Two Years—

The lawsuit was filed on March 8, 2024 by Michael Oluwole, popularly known as Maye, the producer who mixed and mastered the song.

In Suit No: FHC/L/CS/402/2024, Oluwole asked the court to declare him a co-author and co-owner of _“Way Maker”_, and to grant him “equitable sharing of all fees from licences and assignments” earned from the song.

Hearings formally began on November 27, 2024. Sinach’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Emeka Etiaba, denied all claims from the start.

–Court: Sinach Created It Before You Came In–

Delivering judgement, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa held that the plaintiff failed to prove authorship or co-ownership of the musical work.

The court found that _“Way Maker”_ was originally composed, arranged, and performed by Sinach, including at an earlier performance in South Africa, before Oluwole was engaged.

According to the judgement, Oluwole was hired in 2015 solely to mix and master an already existing work for its commercial album release. He was paid for those technical services under an oral agreement.

The court stressed a key principle of copyright law: authorship belongs to the natural person who creates the original expressive content — the melody, harmony, lyrics, or arrangement — and to no other.

It also noted that the song had been worked on with other artistes, including Nwabude Chude Arinze, long before Oluwole’s involvement.

—A Win For Sinach And For Creative Rights—

With the dismissal, the court has put to rest claims that threatened one of the biggest gospel exports out of Nigeria. “Way Maker” has been covered and translated in dozens of languages worldwide and has earned millions of streams and royalties.

Reacting to the judgement, legal observers say the ruling reinforces protection for original creators against claims from technical contributors after a song becomes successful.

Sinach has not yet issued a public statement on the judgement.

The decision brings closure to a case that has shadowed the artiste since 2024, and cements her legal and creative ownership of the song that made her a household name across continents.