Amaka Sonnberger, a 46-year-old Canadian-Nigerian woman, is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, following her arrest by Toronto Police.
Sonnberger was apprehended on Sunday in connection with allegations that she made hate-motivated threats against specific members of the Nigerian community.
The arrest came after an investigation into online content posted by Sonnberger on August 25, 2024, where she allegedly threatened violence against members of the Nigerian community. She has been charged with uttering threats and will appear before a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice.
The Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit is handling the case, treating it as a suspected hate-motivated offence. A statement from the Toronto Police Service on Sunday detailed the arrest, saying, “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 is scheduled to appear in court at 2201 Finch Avenue West. The police are encouraging anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-3500 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.
The incident gained widespread attention after a video clip surfaced on X, formerly Twitter, last Tuesday, showing a woman making anti-Yoruba comments during a TikTok virtual meeting. In the clip, the speaker, using Pidgin English, threatened to poison Yoruba and Benin people, stating: “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.”
The video sparked outrage among Nigerians, leading to calls for Sonnberger’s arrest and prosecution. The House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission petitioned Canadian authorities to investigate and prosecute her for inciting violence and genocide.
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