The Canadian-Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, accused of allegedly making hate-motivated threats against the indigenous peoples of Yoruba and Benin in Nigeria, has been arrested by the Toronto Police and scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Sonnberger, 46, was apprehended on Sunday following an investigation into online content she reportedly posted on August 25, threatening violence against specific members of the Nigerian community.
Having charged with uttering threats, Sonnberger will face a judge at the Onatrio Court of Justice, and the case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence, with the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit involved in the investigation.
In an early Monday morning statement, dated Sept.1, the Toronto Police Service had 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. 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.
“Sonnberger was taken into custody on September 1, 2024, and has been charged with uttering threats. 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.”
Hate-motivated crimes
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 concluded.
NDDC, HOR petition
The House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission had petitioned the Canadian authorities, demanding an investigation and prosecution of the woman.
Sonnberger, also earlier, 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.
Sonnberger’s threat
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”.
Nigerians reaction
The incident sparked outrage from concerned Nigerians who swarmed the Internet, demanding her arrest alongside her other accomplices for calling for the death of other Nigerians during a social media engagement.
Peter Obi, as well as Abubakar Atiku, and other prominent Nigerians, have strongly condemned the incident, expressing their outrage over the hate-motivated threats.
They have called for swift justice and urged authorities to ensure that such acts are met with the full force of the law, emphasising the need for unity and tolerance in the face of such divisive actions.
Additional information from: PUNCH
