Suspended Nigerian-born Alberta (Canada) Justice Minister, Kelechi Madu, has denied allegations levelled against him that he violated traffic laws by using his cellphone while driving on March 10, 2021.
Madu was asked to step back from his ministerial duties by the Premier of Alberta province, Jason Kenney pending the outcome of the investigation on the allegation.
Madu, who assumed the role in August 2020, got fined for using his phone while driving in March 2021 and was accused of calling the province’s police chief after being slammed a $300 fine.
Kenney, in a series of tweets announced that the decision to suspend Madu from his ministerial duties was to allow the “independent investigator to review the relevant facts and to determine whether there was interference in the administration of justice in this case.”
“In the interim period, I have asked Minister Madu to step back from his ministerial duties,” he wrote.
Reacting, Madu, who took to his Twitter handle denied claims of using his cellphone while driving. He also denied contacting Dale McFee, the city’s chief of police, to rescind the fine slammed against him.
According to him, he only contacted the chief of police on the payment of the fine and also expressed his concern about the alleged profiling of people of colour by police.
He tweeted, “The officer indicated that he had observed me driving while distracted, alleging that I was on my phone.
“I disagreed, stating that I was not on my phone, as it was in an inside pocket. To be absolutely clear my phone was inside the left hand side pocket of my suit and I was wearing a winter jacket. I identified myself and drove away.
“Later, I spoke to Chief McFee to share the experience I have just had, and specifically for two reasons.
“First, due to the timing of the incident, I wanted to ensure that I was not being unlawfully surveilled following the Lethbridge Police Service controversy, and on my way to Legislature on a day I was meeting with the media to answer questions on Lethbridge Police Service.
“Second, I also raised concerns around profiling of racial minorities that was in the media at the time and wanted the Chief to hear about my own experience. As Minister, these are concerns that were constantly being brought to my attention.
“The reason why I was proceeding in the Legislature with Bill 63 to ban carding which I tabled for first reading on April 7, 2021. I wanted to share this personal experience and encounter with the Chief of Police.
“Chief McFee assured me that that was most definitely not the case, and I accepted him at his word.
“I want to be abundantly clear, at no point did I request that the ticket be rescinded. I can assure that in my life I would never do any such thing.”
