A Canadian-Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, is set to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, following her arrest by Toronto Police for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against members of the Nigerian community.
The 46-year-old was apprehended on Sunday after a police investigation into online content she reportedly posted on August 25, where she threatened violence against specific Nigerian individuals.
Sonnberger faces charges of uttering threats and will be brought before a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West, Toronto.
The Toronto Police Service released a statement on Sunday titled, “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested,” revealing details of the arrest. The statement indicated that the case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence, with the TPS Hate Crime Unit actively involved in the investigation.
“Toronto Police have arrested a woman in connection with a suspected hate-motivated threat investigation. 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 statement read.
The TPS urged anyone with additional information to come forward, highlighting the seriousness with which hate-motivated crimes are treated. The police noted that if convicted, hate can be considered an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Additionally, hate speech charges, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and are often delayed due to the complexity of the legal process.
The case has garnered significant attention, with the Nigerian House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission petitioning Canadian authorities to investigate and prosecute Sonnberger.
The petitions followed widespread outrage among Nigerians after a video clip surfaced on X.com last Tuesday, where a woman’s voice, allegedly Sonnberger’s, made anti-Yoruba and anti-Benin comments during a virtual meeting on TikTok. She reportedly threatened to poison members of these ethnic groups.
The threats sparked condemnation from prominent Nigerian figures, including Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku, who called for swift justice. They emphasized the need for unity and tolerance and urged authorities to take decisive action against hate-motivated threats.
Sonnberger had previously dismissed the possibility of arrest or deportation after the Nigerian House of Representatives urged the Canadian government to take action against her. Her court appearance on Monday marks the next step in what is expected to be a closely watched legal process.
