The Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a suit filed by Michael Oluwole against gospel singer Osinachi Egbu, popularly known as Sinach, seeking co-authorship and co-ownership rights over her globally acclaimed song, Way Maker.
In the suit (FHC/L/CS/402/2024), Oluwole claimed he co-authored and co-owned the song and sought a share of all revenues from its licences and assignments.
He also alleged infringement of his performer’s rights and demanded ₦5 billion in general damages, among other reliefs.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa held that the plaintiff failed to establish any claim to the authorship or ownership of the musical work.
The court found that Way Maker had already been written and performed by Sinach, including an earlier performance in South Africa, before Oluwole was engaged to mix and master the song for its commercial album release in 2015.
It held that he was paid for those technical services under an oral agreement.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa further held that copyright authorship belongs to the person who creates the original expressive content of a work, including its melody, harmony, lyrics or arrangement.
He noted that a producer, sound engineer or session contributor does not become an author merely by providing technical or instrumental support unless such a person contributes original creative expression.
The court also found that the plaintiff’s own testimony confirmed that Sinach brought him an already existing song, which he only developed into a recorded musical work for an agreed fee.
Describing the suit as “gold-digging and unmeritorious,” Justice Lewis-Allagoa dismissed all the claims.
Emeka Etiaba, SAN, alongside Omolola Aderolu and O.G. Ofomata, represented Sinach, 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 artiste, expressed appreciation to the legal team led by Etiaba for securing the favourable judgment.
The ruling reaffirms Sinach’s sole authorship and ownership of Way Maker.