A 46-year-old Canadian-Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, is set to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, after being arrested by Toronto Police for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against the Nigerian community in Canada.
According to The PUNCH, Sonnberger was arrested on Sunday following a police investigation into online content she allegedly posted on August 25, which contained violent threats targeting specific members of the Nigerian community.
She faces charges of uttering threats and is scheduled to appear before a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West.
The Toronto Police Service announced the arrest in a statement on their website, titled “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested.”
The statement explained that the investigation began after a report was received on August 28 regarding the online threats. “Toronto Police have arrested a woman in connection with a suspected hate-motivated threat investigation,” the statement said.
“The arrest follows a report received on August 28, 2024, regarding a threatening incident. Authorities allege that on or around August 25, 2024, Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto, posted online content threatening the lives of specific members of the Nigerian community.”
The TPS has indicated that the case is being treated as a potential hate-motivated offence, with the Hate Crime Unit actively involved in the investigation.
They have urged anyone with additional information to contact them directly or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
The statement further elaborated on how hate-motivated crimes are handled. “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, or in some cases, will be investigated exclusively by the HCU,” it read.
“If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown.”
According to the TPS, hate is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing if an individual is convicted of a hate-motivated crime.
The statement added that charges related to hate speech, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the consent of the Attorney General and are often delayed.
The House of Representatives of Nigeria and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission have both petitioned the Canadian authorities, demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of Sonnberger.
This follows a previous incident in which Sonnberger had dismissed the possibility of arrest or deportation after being accused of inciting violence and genocide against the Yoruba and Benin people.
In a video clip that circulated on social media platform X.com last Tuesday, a woman, speaking in Pidgin English, was heard making inflammatory comments about poisoning individuals of Yoruba and Benin descent.
She stated, “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.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria had earlier revealed Sonnberger’s identity in connection with the threatening comments against Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent.
As the investigation continues, the Toronto Police have reiterated their commitment to addressing hate-motivated offences and have called on the public to report any suspicious activities related to hate crimes.
