Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Joseph Egbu, better known by her stage name Sinach, is facing a lawsuit worth 5 billion Naira on charges of copyright infringement for her 2015 hit song “Waymaker.“
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, music producer Michael Oluwole, also known as Maye, filed a lawsuit in Federal High Court Lagos. The lawsuit claims copyright infringement and requests a declaration of co-ownership of the song.
According to The Guardian, the producer stated that he recorded, mixed, and mastered the song in addition to composing the instrumental accompaniments, which included the piano, strings, and synthesizers.
Through his lawyer, Justin Ige, the producer requests that Sinach and he split all of the money made from the popular song “Waymaker” as Co-owners. The court should also order the defendant to provide all copyright and license assignments related to the song “Waymaker,” account for all song revenue, and give Maye his share.
The music Producer and his lawyer wants the court to issue a perpetual injunction to stop the defendant from reproducing, distributing, or publicly performing the song ‘WayMaker’.
The gospel singer refuted these claims through her lawyer, Emeka Etiaba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, maintaining that she remains the sole author of the song. Further revealing that the song was composed, arranged and performed with some other artistes before Maye was involved, and his role was restricted to mixing the master recording, which he was paid for.
Sinach’s lawyer strongly opposed the plaintiff’s assertions, questioning the legitimacy of his claims to co-authorship and ownership.
Following the arguments, Jusice Lewis-Allagoa adjourns the trial to continue on January 29 and 30.
This is not the first copyright violation allegation in Nigeria music industry. However, this is the very first time gospel singer sinach has been called out since her music reign.
