In his post, Oyekan stated that the track was originally released in 2022 as part of his album "The Glory Experience." He expressed his dismay at discovering a recent, unauthorized upload of the same song and called on his followers to help in reporting and taking down what he termed a "criminal and illegal upload."
"My X folks, I need you to help report and bring down a criminal and illegal upload on all digital platforms. Someone released CODE OF WORSHIP again. I released it on THE GLORY EXPERIENCE album in 2022z Please wherever you find it, Report immediately. Thanks," he wrote.
Oyekan's complaint highlights the persistent issue of copyright infringement within the Nigerian music industry, a problem that affects artists across genres, including gospel music.
Over the years, numerous cases of illegal song uploads have surfaced, particularly impacting the works of veteran artists whose music predates the digital era. While Nigeria's Copyright Act is designed to protect intellectual property such as music, its enforcement has proven to be a significant hurdle, often rendering the legislation largely ineffective. The protracted nature of legal proceedings has also discouraged artists from pursuing legal recourse, with some cases dragging on for years, as exemplified by the 30-year legal battle between King Sunny Ade and African Songs Limited.
However, the advent of digital streaming platforms has introduced a more streamlined approach to addressing illegal uploads and copyright breaches. These platforms typically offer rights owners the option to apply for a take-down order. This mechanism allows artists to swiftly address instances of unauthorized uploads, unlicensed sampling, and other forms of copyright infringement, offering a more efficient solution compared to lengthy court battles.