PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
Following her arrest by Toronto Police for an alleged poison threat, a Canadian-Nigerian woman will appear before a judge on Monday, September 2.
Amaka Sonnberger, a 46-year-old woman, was taken into custody on Sunday as a result of an investigation into online content allegedly posted on August 25, which contained threats of violence against certain members of the Nigerian community in Canada.
According to Persecondnews, Sonnberger made anti-Yoruba remarks during a virtual meeting on TikTok in a video clip that went viral on X.com last Tuesday.
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.”
Persecondnews also recalls that the Nigerian House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission have called on Canadian authorities to investigate and prosecute the woman, submitting a formal petition to this effect.
Charged with uttering threats, Sonnberger will face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice.
The case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence, with the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit involved in the investigation.
The Toronto Police Service announced the arrest in a statement posted on its website on Sunday, titled ‘Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested’.
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.”
The Toronto Police Service
(TPS) noted that hate-motivated crimes may require consultation with the Crown, and if convicted, hate is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Additionally, TPS stated that hate speech charges, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and are often subject to delays.
It added: “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 that require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.”
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