The Toronto Police Service has announced the arrest of a Canadian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto, who threatened to poison Yoruba and Benin people living in the North American country.
The arrest was made public in a statement dated Sunday, September 1, 2024, following an investigation into a suspected hate crime, and that she has been charged with uttering threats.
The statement reads, “On Sunday, September 1, 2024, Toronto Police arrested Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto. This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
“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) offenses which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time,” the statement said.
Following this, it is reported that, “She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 2201 Finch Avenue West on Monday, September 2nd, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 107,” the Toronto Police said in a statement published on their website on Sunday.
NaijaTimesUSA reported how Abike Dabiri, the chairperson of a federal agency, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, disclosed the identity of Ms Sonnberger after a video where she allegedly made the threat to poison the Benins and Yorubas residing in Canada.
This video has quickly ignited widespread outrage from Nigerians and in response, the Nigerian House of Representatives formally requested that the Canadian government investigate and prosecute Sonnberger.
However, the said woman was not remorseful, instead, another video surfaced where she boastfully claimed Canadian citizenship protects her from legal consequences. “Canada no be Nigeria, you no fit arrest person anyhow,” she stated, further fueling the controversy surrounding her remarks.
