Nigerian-born minister of justice of Alberta, Canada, Kelechi Madu, has been asked to step back from his ministerial duties over alleged traffic violation.
Mr Madu, who assumed the role in August 2020, got fined $300 for allegedly using his phone while driving in March 2021.
He has been accused of contacting the police chief Dale McFee after he was ticketed in March 2021.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Premier of Alberta Jason Kenney said he was disappointed in Madu’s alleged action.
“In the interim period, I have asked Minister Madu to step back from his ministerial duties,” he wrote.
‘’Minister Sonya Savage will act as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General during Minister Madu’s leave of absence.”
He added that ‘’Minister Madu told me that he did not ask to have the ticket rescinded, nor was it his intention to interfere in the case, and that he promptly paid the ticket.
‘’I understand that Chief McFee has confirmed that at no time did the Minister seek to have the ticket rescinded. Nevertheless, it’s essential the independent administration of justice is maintained.’’
Mcfee told CBC News in December that Madu, during the call, expressed concern about people of colour being stopped by police and, separately, political tension with the Lethbridge Police Service.
The premier said he had appointed a “respected” independent investigator to probe the incident.
In July 2021, Madu criticised Nigeria’s minister of justice Abubakar Malami over the re-arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
