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" But there are many who have been steadfast in principled reverence to their oath of service, and who have paid some price for that steadfastness. Many have borne the weight of their persecution in stoic solicitude. We would like to stand by their sides henceforth, and, as their faith is tried, echo the challenges they face, and galvanize support for them, and, by ensuring that these stay strong in the face of torment or trial, encourage others to practice the same resoluteness of character.” - taken from The Observatory Journal Mission Pledge."

By November 2004, it would make one year since four CRAN executives, Sir A.I. Nwaonumah, L.C Onuoha, Chief V.U. Asonye, , S.C. Onyekwe, alongside Mrs. Rose Okiyih, internal auditor in the Abia Judiciary have been in indefinite suspension without pay. Their offence? They have unfalteringly and resolutely pursued the cause of bringing about a change in the leadership of the State's Judiciary because of the conviction - backed by proven evidence - that the present leadership has lost the stature, dignity and moral authority of office.

For standing on this cause, they have had to sacrifice their otherwise tranquil lives to become combat soldiers, but the struggle is demanding more than just this price, and is reaching down the barrel for everything they have – their jobs and future. For some of them, their children have dropped from school, and putting food on the table is a daunting challenge – no thanks to the suspension. Whilst in this daze, they have remained un-fazed and unyielding.

They first authored complaints to the National Judicial Council complaining about the maladministration of the Chief Judge. Although the National Judicial Council sustained some of their complaints, the Chief Judge survived the probe, and thereafter set upon them. Queries gushed out to them like running water, exploring every opportunity to unravel the vengeance of the disaffected Chief Judge. But while being persecuted, these gallant five continued to find more opportunities to prosecute their cause. They wrote unsuccessfully to the Independent Corrupt and Other Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate the Chief Judge. They further wrote the House of Assembly to do likewise, and received welcome. The House of Assembly probed their allegations and sustained them, leading to a resolution demanding the removal of the Chief Judge from office. It was after these activists testified against Chief Judge Amah at the House of Assembly that they were suspended. The query leading to the suspension asked them to “… explain why disciplinary action will not be taken against you for sending a petition against the Hon. Chief Judge to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, without routing it through the office of the Chief Registrar …” Efforts to reverse the suspension by the House failed with Chief Judge Amah. After many months of waiting, the Governor declined to effectuate the removal giving Chief Judge Amah the space to attack the resolution in a law court.

Some, like CRAN President, Nwaonumah, had never received a query in all their career until the campaign to remove Chief Judge Amah began. Some of them have been arrested, detained and charged with spurious offences which was later be struck out for lack of merit. Before they were suspended, some of them had been transferred out to remote places well below their status and office, but they went all the same. Said Sir Nwaonumah, CRAN (Abia State) President: “And every day... CJ ... will leave the headquarters and then come to monitor me on duty at Ohafia High Court. Any day he does not see me he will tell the Chief Registrar to query me. Query, query. Imagine out of twenty-nine or say thirty years I had put in service, the first 26 years I had no query, but within his own (i.e. Amah's) period I have earned not[hing] less than twenty-seven (27) queries.” The Chief Registrar of the Abia High Court, Mr. E.U. Onuoha, in an interview said they were disgruntled people, but these activists have borne all the name-calling and vendetta in good spirit.

“When you cannot make up your mind which of two evenly balanced courses of action you should take - choose the bolder” - W.J Slim, Legal Deskbook DSC Publications 1991

That spirit is what has sustained them, and when the struggle is won and over, it is to that indomitable spirit that the restoration will owe its success.

“The Chief Registrar in this paragraph is quoting civil service regulations to hungrymen. No Sir, it does not apply. We did not act [in] our individual capacities but as the Executives representing a group of hungry people/association. Pardon us if you feel Sir that we should have kept quiet and be killed by hunger with our families.” – Excerpt of a response by Sir A.I. Nwaonumah to a query that he took the Chief Judge to Court protesting non-payment of staff salaries while Judiciary funds were invested in a fixed deposit account.

For pursuing their convictions with such uncompromising fervour, for carrying on a principled struggle notwithstanding the high occupational and safety risks that accompanied it, for standing their ground in the face of torment, suffering and denial, and for standing in the gap for many others who will later reap the fruits of their struggle, CRAN (Abia State) executives, Sir A.I. Nwaonumah, L.C Onuoha, Chief V.U. Asonye, , S.C. Onyekwe, alongside internal auditor Mrs. Rose Okiyih Abia are The Justice Observatory Journal's Personality Profile for this edition.

“A “No' uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a “yes” merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble” - Mahatma Ghandi, Legal Deskbook, DSC Publications 1991