Retired court of Queen’s Bench justice to investigate Kaycee Madu’s call to Edmonton police chief

The retired Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Adèle Kent will be conducting an independent investigation into Justice Minister Kaycee Madu’s phone call with Edmonton police chief Dale McFee.

Penpushing reports that, in a press statement on Monday, the Alberta government said the investigation will determine whether Madu’s phone call to McFee was an attempt to interfere with the administration of justice.

The investigation may include interviews with individuals who may have information regarding the incident, according to the news release, while Kent may also obtain copies of records and documents related to the incident.

Penpushing further reports that she is expected to report her findings to Ray Gilmour, Deputy Minister of the Executive Council, on February 15 and the results will be made public shortly thereafter.

The Alberta Government said Minister Madu will provide the investigator with his full cooperation and assistance in the investigation.

Penpushing also reports that, this comes after Premier Jason Kenney stripped Madu of his duties on January 17, after CBC News broke the story that Madu was fined for distracted driving and called McFee to discuss the ticket.

“If Chief McFee had alleged that he felt this was interference in the administration of justice, then I would have made an immediate decision, but that’s not the public statement that we have,” Kenney said.

Penpushing reports that, earlier that day, McFee maintained that Madu did not ask to rescind the ticket and that the ticket had been fully paid, while  Madu has since said he didn’t drive while distracted, stating that his phone was in his inside pocket.

The Nigerian-born Alberta Justice Minister, it is recalled has been asked to step back from his Ministerial duties following a traffic violation controversy that happened in 2021, and this was announced by Jason Kenney, the Premier of Alberta, Tuesday through his Twitter account.

Penpushing also reports that, Kenney tweeted that he conveyed his profound disappointment in  Madu’s decision to contact the Edmonton Police Chief after receiving a ticket for a traffic violation.

‘’In the interim period, I have asked Minister Madu to step back from his ministerial duties. Minister Sonya Savage will act as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General during Minister Madu’s leave of absence’,Kenney tweeted.

Penpushing further reports that, Madu has been accused of contacting the police chief, Dale McFee, to rescind the ticket after he was ticketed in March 2021,adding that Madu told him 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.’’

‘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. Details about the independent review will be made public in the near future’’

Penpushing  reports that, Madu equally said in a statement that, the officer indicated that he had observed him driving while distracted, alleging that he was on his phone, and that he disagreed, stating that  he was not on hi phone, as it was in an inside pocket.”

“Due to the timing of the incident, I wanted to ensure that I was not being unlawfully surveilled following the controversy surrounding the Lethbridge Police Service. I also raised concerns around profiling of racial minorities that was in the media at the time’, he stated.

“Chief McFee assured me that that was most definitely not the case, and I accepted him at his word I regret raising the issue at all with the Chief McFee”, Madu said in a statement

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