Sinach at the heart of a ₦5 billion Way Maker lawsuit
In November 2024, the court federal Lagos was the scene of an intriguing trial involving the famous gospel singer Sinach and the producer musical Michael Oluwole, known as Maye. The latter accused Sinach of breach of its copyright on the globally recognized title, Way Maker. The producer claimed co-authorship of this hit, demanding legal recognition and damage of ₦5 billion for repeated infringements of its copyrights.
Michael Oluwole’s demands against Sinach
Maye claimed to have contributed significantly to the development of the track, taking on the role of studio engineer who recorded, mixed and mastered the song. He alleged that Sinach released the song without his consent and without formalizing an agreement for his musical contributions. In her defence, Sinach, through her lawyer Emeka Etiaba, disputed the allegations, insisting that she was the sole owner and author of the song.
The title Way Makerwhich had transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries, was covered by numerous artists renowned. His popularity was no longer in doubt, having won prestigious distinctions such as the GMA Dove Award. The course of this trial could well redefine the terms of musical collaborations in the Nigeria.
