From Luminary to Legacy: The Rise of Attorney Tonia Ozubu to South Africa’s High Court

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

In the solemn halls of justice where the weight of law balances the scales of human rights and societal order, a new name has joined the distinguished ranks of judicial nobility; Attorney Tonia Ozubu. Appointed today to the High Court of South Africa, sitting in Pretoria, Gauteng Province, Ozubu’s elevation is not merely a personal victory, but a moment of collective pride for Nigeria, the legal profession and the African continent.

A refined legal luminary, a fearless defender of rights and one of the leading voices within the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Attorney Tonia Ozubu has carved out a legacy defined by commitment to equity, tenacity in advocacy and an unshakable belief in the dignity of the law. Her journey is a testament to the principle that excellence, rooted in diligence, guided by morality and sharpened by intellect cannot be hidden.

An Emblem of Legal Integrity

Attorney Tonia Ozubu’s legal prowess was never in doubt. From her early beginnings as a bright student of law to her emergence as a frontline human rights defender and diaspora legal advocate, she has continually demonstrated a refined understanding of both the spirit and the letter of the law. Her voice has been clear, authoritative and grounded in the firm conviction that justice must never be reserved for the powerful alone.

As a practicing attorney in South Africa with Nigerian roots, Ozubu has championed the causes of the marginalized, especially migrants; who often face complex legal challenges without representation. She has stood boldly in courtrooms, turning the tides of hopelessness into victories for many. Her legal insight and courtroom precision have earned her the admiration of colleagues, the respect of judges and the gratitude of those whose lives her legal interventions have transformed.

In her own words: “The law must serve as a sanctuary for the oppressed, not a fortress for the privileged.”

A NUSA Champion, A Pan-African Voice

Attorney Ozubu’s distinguished service within the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) further highlights her passion for justice and community welfare. As one of NUSA’s leading lawyers, she has offered her expertise pro bono on countless occasions, mediated internal conflicts with wisdom and tact and defended Nigerian citizens subjected to undue harassment, detention or legal intimidation.

In moments of diplomatic tension between Nigeria and South Africa, her voice has consistently stood out as one calling for lawful resolution, constitutional dialogue and the upholding of fundamental human rights. Her efforts have fortified NUSA’s credibility and her appointment today elevates the entire Nigerian diaspora legal community.

“Tonia Ozubu’s appointment reminds us that Africans are not just contributors in foreign lands; we are builders, protectors and interpreters of justice.” Dr. Mandla Thabo Mokoena, Constitutional Law Scholar, University of the Witwatersrand

A Milestone for Women in Law

Attorney Ozubu’s appointment also marks a triumph for African women in a profession long dominated by male voices. She breaks yet another glass ceiling, reinforcing the belief that competence knows no gender and that the legal corridors must reflect the diversity of those they serve.

In a profession that often undervalues female leadership, Ozubu stands tall, not just as a woman, but as a master of the legal craft, a strategist in litigation and a moral compass in public life. She embodies the famous words of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: “The power I exert on the court depends on the power of my arguments, not on my gender.”

Her rise is already inspiring a new generation of Nigerian and African girls studying law, watching her story unfold and realizing that excellence is attainable irrespective of background or border.

South Africa Gains a Giant

The High Court of South Africa in Pretoria is one of the country’s most prestigious judicial platforms. It is here that laws are interpreted with national consequence. That Attorney Ozubu has been appointed to serve in this court speaks volumes of her competence, her impartiality and the confidence reposed in her by the legal establishment.

With her characteristic grace, legal insight and eloquent command of constitutional principles, she enters the courtroom not merely to pass judgments but to build precedents, restore dignity and reaffirm justice as the soul of society.

As the late Chief Justice Pius Langa once remarked: “Judges must be warriors for justice, defenders of the Constitution and servants of the people.” Attorney Ozubu reflects this ethos in totality.

Nigeria’s Legal Diaspora Shines

In a season when Nigeria is often confronted with narratives of corruption, insecurity and governance failure, the elevation of Attorney Ozubu offers a counter-narrative, one of dignity, brilliance and global impact. Her achievement underscores that Nigerian professionals continue to rise, earn respect and contribute to building functional institutions abroad.

This appointment is not just a personal or community success, it is national pride. It affirms that Nigeria’s legal heritage, when nurtured and disciplined, can produce world-class jurists capable of shaping legal frameworks in advanced democracies.

“Tonia Ozubu represents the very best of Nigeria: intellect, courage and integrity. Her appointment is a shining light in a continent that desperately needs more beacons of justice.” Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Nigerian Legal Icon

A Call to Greater Service

With her appointment comes new responsibility. The robes of judicial office demand impartiality, courage and an unwavering devotion to fairness. But if her past is any indication, Attorney Ozubu will not merely fulfill the call; she will elevate it.

She enters the High Court not just as a judge but as a reformer, a guardian of constitutionalism and a voice for those who often remain unheard in legal corridors. Her rulings, we trust, will be shaped not only by the statutes but by conscience, compassion and a commitment to fairness.

Her story is a living reminder that greatness is not accidental; it is cultivated, tested and revealed through sacrifice.

Final Reflections: A Legacy in the Making

As we celebrate Attorney Tonia Ozubu’s remarkable ascension, let us pause to recognize the deeper significance of her achievement. It speaks to the power of perseverance, the value of service and the enduring relevance of justice.

Her journey from Nigeria to the High Court of South Africa is not just a story; it is a symbol. It proves that when talent is mixed with purpose and disciplined by principle, no height is unreachable.

To Attorney Tonia Ozubu, we say: Congratulations. You have made history. You have lifted a nation’s name. You have redefined what it means to serve the law in its highest expression. As your gavel strikes, may justice always prevail. As your pen writes, may the pages of law be filled with truth. And as your voice echoes in the court, may it always speak for the powerless.

Your legacy has begun and it will inspire generations to come.

*Buhari Should be Thankful to God for handling over to Bola Tinubu, an economic builder* — Omotoso Banji Victor

Amid growing defections of politicians from various parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Omotoso Banji Victor, the National President of a newly constituted ODUDUWA INTEGRITY ASSOCIATION has attributed the trend to President Bola Tinubu’s effective management of Nigeria’s economy.

According to Omotoso Banji, the improving Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures under Tinubu’s administration are clear indicators of his economic leadership. He urged northern politicians to support President Tinubu by allowing him to complete another four-year term, totaling eight years in office.

“The massive decamping to APC is not because the party is necessarily better than others, but because of Tinubu’s magic touch in economic recovery,” Victor said. “Former President Buhari should be grateful to God for handing over to a competent leader like Tinubu.”

He further stated that if another leader had taken over, Nigeria’s economy would have collapsed by now, drawing parallels to a time when Ghanaians migrated to Nigeria in search of survival. Therefore, the ex president, Buhari should be thankful to God for handling over to Bola Tinubu been an Economic builder.

Omotoso emphasized that under the previous administration, about ₦500 billion was spent on fuel subsidies while many states remained impoverished. In contrast, he noted, Tinubu’s policies have led to a significant increase in state allocations, allowing for debt repayments and greater infrastructure development.

“Governors, politicians, and citizens who truly understand the dynamics of economic growth are the ones moving towards President Tinubu’s camp — not necessarily just to the APC,” Omotoso concluded.

Nigeria: A Nation Betrayed by Power Failure, Oppression and Injustice

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

There comes a time when silence becomes a crime, when the very fabric of a nation is ripped apart by incompetence, corruption and shameless oppression, speaking out becomes not just a right but a duty. Nigeria, Africa’s supposed “Giant,” now groans under the crushing weight of persistent power failures, political injustice and a dangerous culture of impunity, while the world shamefully looks the other way.

Recently, in a scene that captured the tragedy of Nigeria’s endless decline, celebrated filmmaker Kunle Afolayan suffered a power blackout while in conversation with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in Lagos. That singular moment of lights out in Africa’s most populous nation during a global tech conversation symbolized all that is wrong with Nigeria today. It screamed volumes about decades of misrule, infrastructure decay and elite indifference.

As comedian Basketmouth once sarcastically joked, “In Nigeria, NEPA (Power Authority) is so consistent at failing that if they mistakenly leave the light for 24 hours, you start suspecting witchcraft.”

Unfortunately, this is no longer a joke. It is the grim reality of a country that generates barely 4,000 megawatts for over 200 million people, while Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda with a fraction of the population, struggles and still produces almost four times more.

Nigeria’s darkness is not only physical. It is moral. It is political. It is spiritual.

While citizens battle daily with no electricity, hunger, insecurity and despair, the so-called leaders indulge in unrestrained arrogance and scandalous misconduct.

A prime example is the recent injustice orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against popular activist VeryDarkMan. His “crime”? Daring to criticize Senate President Godswill Akpabio over his tone-deaf message from Rome during the burial of the late Pope Benedict XVI. While Nigerians wallowed in poverty back home, Akpabio had the audacity to declare from the Vatican that “poverty is not a crime but a virtue from God.”

Such statements would cause outrage in any sane society. But for my Nigeria, the APC instead issued VeryDarkMan a one-week ultimatum to apologise or face persecution. The very nerve! In a country where freedom of speech is enshrined in the constitution, activists are now criminalized for pointing out the emperor’s nakedness.

As comedian I Go Dye aptly puts it, “In Nigeria, the truth is an offence, but not a crime. However, telling the truth can earn you a life sentence of harassment.”

Another heartbreaking episode that underlines Nigeria’s descent into absurdity is the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Earlier this year, Natasha accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment. Yet, in a shocking twist, she was recently forced to “apologise” in public, mockingly saying, “I forgot I won my Senate seat through erection, not election.”

This vulgar “apology” highlights the depth of coercion and humiliation women face in Nigeria’s toxic political environment. Where is the outcry from so-called human rights defenders? Where are the international watchdogs who profess to care about democracy and justice? Silence.

Nigeria today is a country where the victims are punished, and the powerful are glorified. A place where elections are rigged with reckless abandon, only for the oppressed to be told to “go to court” in a judiciary system more compromised than a pickpocket in a crowded market.

As renowned journalist Chido Onumah once observed, “Nigeria has perfected the art of normalizing abnormality. We have become so used to injustice that justice now feels like an attack.”

And the facts do not lie:

According to Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perception Index, Nigeria ranked 150 out of 180 countries, one of the worst performances globally.

Over 133 million Nigerians more than 60% of the population live in multidimensional poverty, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics.

In the World Bank’s 2024 Doing Business report, Nigeria slipped to the bottom third in ease of doing business, largely due to epileptic power supply and official corruption.

Yet despite these damning realities, the international community remains largely silent. No sanctions. No public condemnations. No real pressure on the Nigerian government to reform.

As Fela Kuti, the legendary Afrobeat pioneer and activist, once thundered, “My people are suffering and nobody cares!”
Today, his words echo louder than ever before.

It is a shame that while the world rightly condemns injustice in other nations, Nigeria’s slow motion collapse is met with diplomatic platitudes and cynical indifference. African lives, it seems, remain cheap even to Africans themselves.

The tragedy of Nigeria is not that it has failed. It is that it continues to fail so spectacularly while those responsible are celebrated as “leaders” and “statesmen.”

In a functioning society, Kunle Afolayan’s blackout moment with Mark Zuckerberg would have sparked a national emergency. Heads would have rolled. A real government would have apologized to its citizens and moved swiftly to invest in energy and technology infrastructure. But in Nigeria, the leaders continue to jet around the world, spewing nonsense about “poverty being a virtue.”

Enough is enough…

Nigerians must understand that no messiah is coming. Salvation lies not in new elections rigged by the same old crooks but in a fundamental restructuring of the political system, anchored on accountability, competence and justice.

As Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie wisely put it, “There is danger in telling only one side of the story and for too long, the Nigerian leadership has controlled the narrative while silencing the people’s suffering.”

The time for polite complaints is over. The time for bold truth telling is now.

The youth, the activists, the comedians, the journalists, the true conscience of the nation must continue to shout, to organize, to resist. Not with violence, but with unrelenting exposure of the lies, the oppression and the corruption that are killing the country.

Nigeria must no longer be a nation where power outages, judicial corruption, political persecution and shameless injustice are “normal.”

As comedian Gordons famously said, “In Nigeria, God works overtime because even the angels are confused on who to help first.”
It’s time we stop exhausting even heaven with our irresponsibility.

The world must also pay attention. For every nation that ignores injustice in Nigeria today, remember: injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

The power failure that interrupted Kunle Afolayan’s meeting with Mark Zuckerberg was not just a technical glitch. It was the universe exposing the naked truth: Nigeria is in darkness and only Nigerians can fight their way into the light.