Esther Salifu
Toronto Police Service has arrested Amaka Sonnberger, a 46-year-old Canadian-Nigerian woman, who threatened to poison Yoruba and Benin people in Nigeria.
Sonnberger posted a content online on August 25, threatening to poison particular ethnic group in Nigeria.
This was disclosed In a statement titled “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested”. released on Sept. 1 by Toronto Police Service.
Confirming her arrest, Toronto Police Service said Sonnberger was arrested on Sunday and she is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against the Nigerian community.
The command stated that Sonnberger was charged with uttering threats and will face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice.
Canadian-Nigerian woman threatening Yoruba, Benin people with poison arrested
A Canadian-Nigerian woman is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, following her arrest by Toronto Police for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against the Nigerian community.
Amaka Sonnberger, 46, was apprehended on Sunday following an investigation into online content she reportedly posted on August 25, threatening violence against specific members of the Nigerian community.
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 statement reads: “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.
“Hate-motivated crimes may involve consultation with the Crown, and if convicted, hate is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing.
It added that hate speech charges, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and are often delayed.
“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 which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.”
