Justice VCRAC Crabbe Is Dead

V.C.R.A.C Crabbe

Eminent jurist Justice Vincent Cyril Richard Arthur Charles (V.C.R.A.C) Crabbe is reported dead at age 95.

Justice Crabbe is said to have passed on after a short illness on Friday morning in Accra.

President Akufo-Addo led the government’s tribute, describing the constitutional law expert as an outstanding servant of the Ghanaian people.

He posted on social media platform Facebook that “On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, I express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe on his death, which occurred today, Friday, 7th September, 2018.”

“Respected public servant, eminent jurist, 1st Ghanaian Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice of the Supreme Court, accomplished Ghanaian and patriot; he served his country with distinction, and contributed immensely to our nation’s jurisprudence and development.

 

The President said, “His discipline, honesty and integrity made him an outstanding servant of the Ghanaian people and of the public interest. His objective was always the advancement of Ghana, and not partisan considerations. Even in old age, he continued to make crucial interventions in our nation’s discourse. Ghana has lost a dedicated nationalist and fine gentleman. May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may God bless him.”

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia also paid tribute to V.C.R.A.C Crabbe, saying on Facebook that he “played an unprecedented role in the development of law, as well as democratic institutions in Ghana, and was a fearless advocate; Ghana has lost an icon.”

Justice Crabbe served in several capacities both in private and public sectors, as well as on the international front.

Born on 29 October, 1923 at Ussher Town in Accra, Gold Coast, he was educated at the Government Junior and Senior Boys Schools in Accra. He attended the Accra Academy for the Cambridge Junior and Senior School Certificates.

He went to London to study Economics at the City of London College Moorgate, London from 1950-1952.

In August 1952, Mr Crabbe was admitted to the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple to read law.

He completed the normal three-year course in two years and was called to the Bar on 8th February, 1955 having been granted a dispensation.

The same year, he was enrolled as a member of the Gold Coast Bar in order to maintain his Seniority at the Bar.

He progressed from Assistant Crown Counsel to Parliamentary Counsel, the first African to be appointed as such and ended up as a Senior Instructor at the International Law Development Centre in Rome, Italy.

He held the post of First Parliamentary Counsel and Constitutional Advisor to the Uganda Government, Director of the Commonwealth Secretariat Scheme for Legislative draftsmen for the West African Region, Southern Africa Region, the Caribbean Region and a Professor of Legislative drafting at the Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, University of West Indies.

Mr Crabbe was Special Commissioner to the 1968 Constitutional Commission; Legislative Draftsmen to the 1969 Constituent Assembly which drafted the 1969 Constitution of Ghana.

He was the Chairman of the 1979 Constituent Assembly and drafted the 1979 Constitution of Ghana.

He worked with the Constitutional Review Commission of Kenya and was leader of the group of Draftspersons who drafted the Kenya Constitution.

He worked with the Zambian Constitutional Commission for the drafting of the Zambian Constitution, as well with the Fiajoe Review Commission for the review of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

He was elected a fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and delivered an inaugural lecture on 15th March 2017 on the theme: The Philosophy of Man.

He remained a well-known figure in the country’s judicial or legal system, having had the opportunity to serve as a law professor at Accra-based Mountcrest University College.

By Melvin Tarlue

 

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