Published 18th Jan, 2022

By Tola Owoyele

Kaycee Madu, the Nigerian-born Minister of Justice and Solicitor-General of Alberta, a province in Western Canada, has been asked to step aside from his ministerial position for calling the province’s police chief after being slammed a $300 fine he received for violating one of the country’s traffic and safety regulations.

Madu, who assumed the role in August 2020, got the fine for using his phone while driving in March 2021.

In a series of tweets by Jason Kenny, the Premier of Alberta, Madu was told to step aside following allegations that he called Edmonton’s police chief to influence the cancellation of the fine he got for making a phone call while driving.

“I have spoken with Minister Madu about the March 10 incident reported in the media today. I conveyed to him my profound disappointment in his decision to contact the Edmonton police chief after receiving a ticket for a traffic violation,” Kenney said in his tweet.

“Minister Madu told me that he did not ask to have the ticket rescinded, nor was it his intention to interfere in the case, and that he promptly paid the ticket. I understand that Chief McFee has confirmed that at no time did the Minister seek to have the ticket rescinded.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. That’s why I will appoint a respected independent investigator to review the relevant facts and to determine whether there was interference in the administration of justice in this case.”

According to some Canadian tabloids, Madu was fined $300 (Canadian Dollar), a fine he paid two days later.

Pending the conclusion of the investigation, Sonya Savage, a member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly, will act as the province’s solicitor general.

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