Nigerian Gospel Singer, Sinach Faces ₦5 Billion Lawsuit Over ‘Way Maker’ Song
Nigerian gospel music star Osinachi Egbu, known professionally as Sinach, is embroiled in a legal battle over her hit song “Way Maker.” The lawsuit, filed by music producer Michael Oluwole (known as Maye), claims copyright infringement and seeks joint ownership of the song.
According to the filing (FHC/L/CS/402/2024), Maye asserts that he played a key role as the studio engineer during the creation of “Way Maker,” which was released in December 2015. Maye, through his legal representative Justin Ige of Creative Legal, argues that his contributions included recording, mixing, mastering, and adding instrumental elements such as piano, strings, and synthesizers.
Claim for Co-ownership
Maye alleges that Sinach released the song commercially without formalizing an agreement or compensating him for his work, violating his rights as a performer. He is now seeking ₦5 billion in damages for the alleged infringement of his rights, along with a request for the song’s revenues to be shared between him and Sinach as co-owners, given that no written agreement was made.
Maye’s legal team claims that Sinach’s failure to share proceeds from licensing the song is “deliberate and oppressive.” They are asking the court to determine an equitable distribution of royalties, whether as an equal share or another division deemed appropriate, and to compel Sinach to disclose all licenses and copyright assignments related to the song. Additionally, Maye is seeking a permanent injunction to prevent Sinach from further reproducing or performing “Way Maker” without proper recognition of his contribution.
Sinach’s Defense
Represented by Emeka Etiaba (SAN), Sinach denies the allegations and asserts that she is the sole creator of “Way Maker.” The renowned singer maintains that while other artists, including Nwabude Chude Arinze, were involved in the composition and arrangement, Maye’s role was limited to mixing the final master recording, for which he was paid ₦150,000 (about $300). Sinach’s legal team argues that this payment negates any obligation to share copyright or performer’s rights.
Court Proceedings
The case began in the Federal High Court in Lagos, where Maye provided testimony, which was cross-examined by Sinach’s legal team. The defense has strongly contested Maye’s claim to co-authorship. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 29-30, 2025, allowing time for the defense to present its case.
Previous Copyright Disputes in the Nigerian Music Industry
This case is not the first copyright dispute in Nigeria’s music scene. In 2016, Nigerian singers Tuface and Blackface had a public row over the song “African Queen,” which was eventually settled out of court. Similarly, in 2018, the Afrobeat duo Danfo Drivers sued singer Tekno over allegations of sampling their song “Kpolongo” in Tekno’s hit “Jogodo.” Like the Tuface-Blackface case, this dispute was resolved outside of court.
The Global Impact of ‘Way Maker’
“Way Maker” has become a worldwide anthem, transcending cultural and religious boundaries since its release in December 2015. The song has been covered by numerous international Christian artists, including Michael W. Smith, Mandisa, and Leeland. In 2016, Sinach included it in her live album Way Maker – Live, which achieved commercial success and earned a gold certification in South Africa.
Sinach’s breakthrough continued in 2020 when she became the first African artist to top the Billboard Christian Songwriters chart. By mid-2020, “Way Maker” was also ranked #1 on the Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) Top 100. The song earned her the prestigious Song of the Year award at the 2020 GMA Dove Awards, marking her as the first Nigerian to achieve this honor. In 2021, it also won the BMI Song of the Year award, becoming the first African gospel song to receive this recognition.
The music video for “Way Maker,” directed by Ose Iria, reached 100 million views on YouTube by 2019, making Sinach the first Nigerian gospel artist to achieve such a milestone. The song gained even more prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, with people across the world singing it in support of healthcare workers and during the protests for George Floyd in the U.S.
About Sinach
Sinach, born in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, is a graduate of Physics from the University of Port Harcourt. She began her music career at Christ Embassy Church in Lagos, where she was mentored by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. With a career spanning multiple decades, Sinach has released nine studio albums and has received numerous awards, including the 2020 GMA Dove Song of the Year. In 2023, she was named a global ambassador by the Commonwealth of Dominica. Sinach is married to Pastor Joseph Egbu,and they have a daughter, Rhoda.
