Toronto police Arrest Nigerian Woman who Threatened to Kill Yoruba, Edo Indigenes in Canada * court arraignment stalled over national holiday
By Omowumi Omotosho
A 46-year-old Nigerian woman, identified as Amaka Sonnberger, has been taken into custody by the Toronto Police Service following the circulation of a viral audio recording in which she allegedly threatened to poison and kill members of the Yoruba and Edo communities living in Canada.
According to an official statement from the Toronto Police, Sonnberger was arrested on Sunday, after authorities were alerted about her online threats made around August 25, 2024. The police report indicated that she has been charged with Uttering Threats and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 2201 Finch Avenue West on Monday at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 107.
It was, however doubtful if Sonnberger will be arraigned on Monday as scheduled, due to the marking of the nation’s Labour Day which falls on same day.
“She was arrested yesterday but I don’t think she will be going to court today as stated because today is Labour Day in Canada and court might not open”, a Nigerian resident in Canada told National Pilot exclusively on Monday.
The police however noted further that the investigation is being handled as a potential hate-motivated offense. “This case is being treated with the utmost seriousness as a suspected hate crime,” the statement read.
The Toronto Police Service however urged the public that “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.”
The police futher revealed that “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.”
The police also clarified that “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.”
The police statement also highlighted that charges related to hate propaganda, such as the ” Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.”
The incident reportedly stemmed from a discussion on TikTok, where Amaka and others were conversing when she allegedly expressed her intent to harm members of other Nigerian ethnic groups, specifically the Yoruba and Edo communities. Claiming that the Igbo people have been marginalized, she allegedly threatened to poison the food of her Yoruba colleagues at work upon her return the following day.
In response to the widespread outrage and calls for her arrest by members of the House of Representatives and other Nigerian organizations, Amaka released another audio recording in which she dismissed the possibility of facing legal consequences, citing her Canadian citizenship as protection against deportation or legal action.
