Stella Thomas - Barrister and Magistrate

Stella Jane Thomas was born in 1906 in Lagos City Nigeria to Sierra Leonean parents - her father Peter John Claudius was a successful businessman. Stella was educated in Sierra Leone, before travelling to the United Kingdom in the 1920s to pursue a law degree at Oxford University.

In 1931 Stella became a founding member of the civil rights organisation founded by Dr Harold Moody the League of Coloured Peoples.

Whilst navigating a legal career Stella achieved significant milestones. She passed the Cambridge School Certificate in July 1929 and gained admission to Oxford in December of the same year. The Nigerian Pioneer newspaper in its 1930 issue celebrated her success stating, "It is noteworthy to read of the success of Miss Stella Thomas, who has passed Roman Law and enjoys the distinction of being the first West African woman law student."

Thomas joined the Middle Temple Inn of Court in London and was called to the Bar in 1933 the first African woman to do so. And although she received praise for her accomplishment she also faced sexist comments.

In 1934 Thomas returned to Nigeria where she practiced law. In 1935 she became the first woman magistrate in West Africa presiding over courts in Lagos, which was a remarkable achievement for a woman in a male dominated profession. In 1943 she became the first paid police magistrate in West Africa, however the appointment brought challenges, including death threats.

Stella Thomas passed away in May 1974.

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