Producer Sues Sinach for ₦5 Billion Over ‘Way Maker’

Gospel singer Sinach faces a legal battle over copyright and publishing rights for her hit song ‘Way Maker.’ The producer, Michael Oluwole (Maye), filed a ₦5 billion lawsuit, claiming Sinach didn’t properly compensate him for his role in the song’s production.

The Federal High Court in Lagos heard the case on November 27, 2024. Oluwole argues he played a crucial role in the song’s success, responsible for recording, mixing, mastering, and creating instrumental elements like the piano, strings, and synthesizers. He claims Sinach kept all the earnings without compensating him or giving him credit.

Oluwole is seeking ₦5 billion in damages, a share of the song’s profits, and legal recognition of his contributions.

Additionally, Oluwole is seeking a court order to block anyone from using the track without permission.

The dispute over ‘Way Maker’ has been brewing for some time. In 2022, Oluwole threatened to sue Sinach during a live video with Daddy Freeze. That threat has now moved to court.

Sinach, however, maintains that she is the sole creator of the song. In contrast, her lawyer, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), presents a detailed account of her role. Specifically, he argues that she wrote, arranged, and performed the song before Oluwole’s involvement. Furthermore, this sequence of events supports Sinach’s claim of sole ownership.  According to her team, Oluwole mixed and mastered the final recording, and he received $300 for his work. They assert that he has no legal claim to royalties or copyrights.

Oluwole’s lawyer, Justin Ige, counters by pointing out that no formal contract was signed between the parties. He argues that under Nigerian copyright law, the absence of such a contract allows Oluwole to make a compensation claim. This case has sparked a broader conversation about intellectual property rights, fair compensation, and the importance of formal agreements in creative collaborations, particularly in Nigeria’s growing music industry. As the case progresses, it could set an important precedent for handling similar disputes in the future.