Nigerian-born Canadian minister of justice for Alberta Kelechi Madu, who was suspended in January 2022 following his violation of traffic laws, has been reinstated.
The Nigerian, who assumed the role in August 2020 and is reportedly the first black person to serve as a minister of justice in Canada, got fined $300 for using his phone while driving in March 2021.
He was accused of calling police chief Dale McFee to seek a waiver, an allegation Madu denied.
Madu has now been redeployed to the ministry of labour and immigration, the Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney, announced in a statement on Friday.
Following the probe conducted by an independent body, Kenney said, “The report concludes that Minister Madu did not interfere in the administration of justice but that the phone call could create a reasonable perception of interference.”
“It is clear from the report that his motivation in making the call was not to reverse the ticket but to raise broader concerns, particularly related to racial profiling. Nevertheless, as Ms. Kent concludes, ‘being angry, wanting assurances that he was not racially profiled are all understandable reactions, given the context of the phone call. It does not absolve the Minister from responsibility, but it is an explanation that deserves recognition,” the premier added.
Kenney noted that Madu’s new role will see him lead reforms to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Programme and continued implementation of the Fairness for Newcomers Action Plan to help remove barriers to the economic success of immigrants.
“He will help to deliver on the Alberta Work Initiative, a key part of Budget 2022’s plan to connect unemployed Albertans with available jobs through expanded training programmes,” said Kenney.
