Amaka Sonnberger faces Toronto court for alleged hate-motivated threats against Nigerians, sparking outrage and government response.
Amaka Sonnberger, a 46-year-old Canadian-Nigerian woman, is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, after her arrest by the Toronto Police for allegedly posting online content that threatened violence against specific members of the Nigerian community.
Sonnberger was taken into custody on September 1, 2024, following an investigation by the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit, which is treating the case as a suspected hate-motivated offence.
The investigation was initiated after a report received on August 28 regarding threatening comments made by Sonnberger on August 25.
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According to a statement released by the Toronto Police Service, “Authorities allege that Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto, posted online content threatening the lives of specific members of the Nigerian community.”
She has been charged with uttering threats and is set to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 2201 Finch Avenue West.
The statement further outlines the protocol for hate-motivated crimes in Toronto, noting that such cases may involve consultation with the Crown and that, if convicted, hate will be considered an aggravating factor during sentencing.
The police are urging anyone with further information to contact them at 416-808-3500 or to reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
The incident has sparked outrage within the Nigerian community and beyond, leading to petitions from the House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to the Canadian authorities for an investigation and prosecution.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has also revealed Sonnberger’s identity due to her threatening comments targeting Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent.
In a video that circulated widely on social media, Sonnberger allegedly made anti-Yoruba remarks during a virtual meeting, threatening violence against members of those communities.
The video captured her voice, speaking in Pidgin English, as she called for harm against Yoruba and Benin individuals, saying, “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.”
Prominent Nigerians, including Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku, have condemned the incident and called for swift justice, emphasizing the importance of unity and tolerance in combating such hate-driven actions.
The growing outrage has prompted a demand for the authorities to take firm action against such threats to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
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