Toronto, Canada — A 46-year-old Canadian-Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Monday, September 2, 2024, following her arrest by Toronto Police for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against members of the Nigerian community.
Sonnberger was apprehended on Sunday, September 1, after an investigation by the Toronto Police Service (TPS) into online content she reportedly posted on August 25. In the content, Sonnberger allegedly threatened violence against specific individuals within the Nigerian community, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
The arrest was officially announced by the Toronto Police on Sunday in a statement titled “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested,” posted on their website. The TPS statement 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 faces charges of uttering threats and is expected to stand before a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West, Toronto.
The case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense, with the TPS Hate Crime Unit actively involved in the investigation. Police are urging anyone with additional information to come forward, encouraging tips through their hotline or anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
Allegations and Community Reactions
The allegations against Sonnberger have sparked significant outrage within the Nigerian community, both in Canada and abroad. The Nigerian House of Representatives, alongside the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has petitioned the Canadian authorities, demanding a thorough investigation and prosecution of Sonnberger.
In a video clip that began circulating on X.com last Tuesday, a woman’s voice, believed to be Sonnberger’s, can be heard making inflammatory comments targeting individuals of Yoruba and Benin descent. The woman, speaking mainly in Pidgin English, explicitly threatened to poison Yoruba and Benin people. “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,” she is heard saying.
These statements have led to widespread condemnation from prominent Nigerian figures, including political leaders Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku, who have both expressed their outrage. They have called for swift justice and urged authorities to ensure that such hate-motivated acts are met with the full force of the law, emphasizing the importance of unity and tolerance in combating divisive rhetoric.
Legal Implications
Toronto Police have stated that hate-motivated crimes, if proven in court, are considered aggravating factors during sentencing. This means that if Sonnberger is convicted, the hate element of her offense could lead to a more severe penalty. Additionally, charges related to hate speech, such as advocating genocide or promoting hatred, require the consent of the Attorney General and are often pursued after a detailed investigation.
As the case progresses, the Nigerian community in Canada and supporters worldwide will be closely watching the proceedings, hoping for a resolution that sends a clear message against hate speech and violence.