A Canadian-Nigerian woman was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, following her arrest by Toronto Police for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against the Nigerian community.
Amaka Sonnberger, 46, was apprehended on Sunday following an investigation into online content she reportedly posted on 25 August, threatening violence against specific members of the Nigerian community.
Charged with uttering threats, Sonnberger will face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice.
The case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence, with the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit involved in the investigation.
Toronto Police Service, in an early Monday morning statement dated 1 September 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 28 August 2024, regarding a threatening incident. Authorities allege that on or around 25 August, 2024, Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto, posted online content threatening the lives of specific members of the Nigerian community.
“Sonnberger was taken into custody on 1 September 2024, and has been charged with uttering threats. She is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, 2 September 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.
“When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation could be led by a Divisional Investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit (HCU), or in some cases, will be investigated exclusively by the HCU.
“If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.
“Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time”, it stated.
The House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission had petitioned the Canadian authorities, demanding an investigation and prosecution of the woman.
Earlier, Sonnberger had dismissed the possibility of arrest or deportation after the Nigerian House of Representatives urged the Canadian government to prosecute her for inciting violence and genocide against Yoruba and Benin people.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria earlier revealed Sonnberger’s identity for making threatening comments against fellow Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent.
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”.
