Kelechi Madu, a Nigerian-Canadian, has been sworn in as the Deputy Premier of Alberta, Canada.
After an initial squabble over a phone call, the prominent Nigerian was sworn in as Deputy Premier on Monday.
Madu was accused of interfering in a traffic offence committed by someone he knows by calling the relevant office.
He was working in the Ministry of Justice at the time.
He was asked to step aside during the investigation.
He was, however, found not guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
As a result, Madu was transferred from the Ministry of Justice, where he served as Minister, to the Ministry of Labour and Immigration.
The decision was announced by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who stated that despite being exonerated by an investigation panel’s report, Madu should step down from his position at the Ministry of Justice.
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.’
Given her findings, and the unique role of the office of the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, I have concluded that it would be appropriate for Minister Madu to step aside from that position.
Madu was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on April 16, 2019 as the MLA for Edmonton-South West.
A loving husband and father of three, Madu was born and raised in the Southeastern part of Nigeria.
There, he attended the University of Lagos and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws Honours degree.
He was subsequently called to the Bar in Nigeria.
In 2005, he and his wife migrated to Canada.
Madu has been a lawyer for 16 years, practising in both Nigeria and Alberta.
In addition to co-founding Tisel Law Office with his wife, Emem, he has worked for Legal Aid Alberta and volunteered with the Edmonton Community Legal Centre and the Law Society of Alberta’s Lawyer Referral Program.
Madu has also worked as a senior technical advisor for the Government of Alberta. She focused on legislative and regulatory reviews, operational and strategic public policies, issue management, and stakeholder consultation.
Madu received the Premier’s Award of Excellence in the bronze medal category in 2009, along with a team he worked with in public service.
He continues to volunteer with the Nigerian and Igbo communities in Alberta.
Kelechi (Kaycee) Madu was sworn in on October 24, 2022, as Deputy Premier, and on February 25, 2022, as Minister of Skilled Trades and Professions (previously Labour and Immigration).
He was previously the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, as well as the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
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