Accra, Oct. 6, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Thursday lauded late Chief Justice, Samuel Azu-Crabbe's role in the investigations into the murder of three High Court Judges and a retired Military Officer in 1982.

Referring to the chairmanship role of Justice Azu Crabbe, 86, on the Special Investigations Board (SIB) that investigated the incident during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime, Vice President Mahama said he was very strict and forthright in his duties. Vice President Mahama was speaking at the Osu Castle, when the family of the Chief Justice Azu-Crabbe, who died at Aburi in the Eastern Region, three weeks ago, called on him to inform Government officially about the death and to present the customarily drinks to the State. Justice Azu-Crabbe was the Chief Justice from 1972 to 1973 and a former Appeal Court Judge in Kenya.

The Vice President said he was one of the early lawyers the country produced in the 1940s and 1950s who rose to the position of a Chief Justice.

"I wish on behalf of the President and the Government to express condolences to the bereaved family," he said. He pledged the commitment of Government to give a befitting funeral to the deceased.

Mr Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe, Leader of the family delegation, said the late Chief Justice would be laid in state on October 13 2005 in Accra and buried at the James Town Mausoleum on October 14. He left behind a wife and five children.