A Canadian – Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, 46, has been scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2nd. This is following her arrest by Toronto Police. For allegedly making hate-motivated threats against the Nigerian community.
Amaka was arrested on Sunday, September 1st. Following an investigation into an online post she made on the 25th of August, 2024. She threatened violence against the Yoruba and Benin people of the Nigerian community in Canada.
Charged to court for uttering threats, She is to face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice.
The case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence. The Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit is involved in the investigation.
The Toronto Police Service, in an early Monday morning statement dated Sept. 1 on its website titled, “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested,” revealed this.
It read, “Toronto Police have arrested a woman in connection with a suspected hate-motivated threat investigation.”
“The arrest follows a report received on August 28, 2024, regarding a threatening incident. So, authorities allege that on or around August 25, 2024, Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto. Had posted online content threatening the lives of specific members of the Nigerian community.”
“Sonnberger was taken into custody on September 1, 2024. So she has been charged with uttering threats.”
Also, she is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West.”
“The investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence. Police are urging anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-3500 or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.”
According to the statement, TPS said that hate-motivated crimes may involve consultation with the Crown. And if convicted, hate is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing.
It added that hate speech charges, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and are often delayed.
The House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, had petitioned the Canadian authorities. They demand an investigation and prosecution of the woman.
Sonnberger, has earlier dismissed the possibility of her deportation. This was after the House of Representatives, as urged the Canadian government to prosecute her, for inciting genocide among the Nigerian community.
Also, the Federal Government has also revealed Sonnberger’s identity. Because she threatened to poison the people of Benin and Yoruba people.
In a video clip that started trending on X.com last Tuesday. A woman’s voice was heard making anti-Yoruba comments during a virtual meeting on TikTok.
She spoke mainly in Pidgin English, threatening to poison Yoruba and Benin people.
She said: “Record me very well; it’s time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison for all una food for work. Put poison for una water, make una dey kpai one by one”.