Here Is My Story – Kelechi Madu (Nigerian-born suspended, Justice Minister, Alberta, Canada)

By Adesina Soyooye

A couple of days ago, the story hit the headlines that Kelechi Madu, the Solicitor General and Justice Minister, of Alberta,  Canada,  has been suspended from office by the Governor, pending the outcome of an investigation into a traffic offence, and his action thereafter.

Two things struck not a few Nigerians, and got them interested.

The first is because Madu is a Nigerian. He is from Mbaise, Imo State. And was celebrated to high heavens when he was appointed, an appointment which made him a Cabinet member in Alberta.

The second is that it would have been weird in Nigeria for a Policeman to stop a State Attorney General for a traffic offence, and then worse, that he would be asked to step aside from office over such an alleged offence that neither caused an accident, nor resulted in any fatality.

Shocked Nigerians have been asking questions. How? How come?

The  story was that he was using his phone while driving. And so, was driving as if distracted. He denied being on the phone, and said his phone was in his pocket.

He was ticketed, and asked to pay a penalty of 300 Canadian Dollars. He did. But the problem then: He dared to call the Edmonton Police Chief. The argument is that he called because he wanted the Police Chief to intervene, an allegation he denies, insisting he did not call him to intervene, but to clarify issues.

However, the Governor, Kenny Jason, felt it would be more tidy for Madu to step aside while an independent investigation he set up does its job.

Following is Madu’s side of the incident that forced him to step aside from office.

“Many have reached out to me wanting to know the circumstances of the ticket that I received and my subsequent call to the Edmonton Police Service Chief, Dale McFee. I have issued a formal statement to the media.

“The Premier has also issued a statement on his planned course of action.

“On the morning of March 10, I was scheduled to meet with the media at the Rotunda of the Legislature before Question Period to address their questions and speak to matters concerning  the Lethbridge Police Service.

“Minutes after leaving my home on my way to the Legislature, I was pulled over by an officer of the Edmonton Police Service.

“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 in particular given the fact that I was on my way to Legislature on a day that I was meeting with the media to address and answer questions around calls for action to deal with the ongoing issues at the 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.

“That said, with hindsight now, I can see how that may be perceived. There is a saying that perception is everything in politics, and I regret raising the issue at all with Chief McFee.

“I paid the ticket fully and promptly. In my role as the Justice Minister and Solicitor General, I have worked diligently to ensure we build a province in which all of us – no matter the circumstances of our birth, economic, religious, social or cultural background can feel respected and welcomed. That’s the definition of my own life and I will continue as long as I have the opportunity and privilege to do so.

“Finally, I have always defended the men and women who put on the uniform to serve. I have the utmost respect for them, and for the invaluable, often thankless role they perform.

“With all these in mind, I am one that always hold myself accountable for my actions. I respect the Premier’s direction for me to take a temporaryr leave of absence pending the outcome of the independent investigation.”

Recall that Madu had issued a stinging rebuke to Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, over the re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu in Nairobi.