Toronto, September 2, 2024 — The Toronto Police Service has arrested a 46-year-old Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, following the circulation of an audio recording in which she allegedly threatened to poison and kill Yoruba and Edo individuals residing in Canada.
Amaka was taken into custody on September 1 after police received reports of the audio, which was posted online around August 25, 2024. In the recording, Amaka is heard making explicit threats against specific members of the Nigerian community, prompting an investigation into the incident.
The Toronto Police issued a statement confirming that Amaka has been formally charged with Uttering Threats, a criminal offense under Canadian law. She is scheduled to appear in court on September 2, 2024, at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West. The hearing will take place in courtroom 107 at 10:00 a.m.
The police emphasized that the investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense. “When suspected hate-motivated offenses 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 statement read.
The statement also outlined the legal implications of hate-motivated crimes, noting that if a person is convicted of such an offense, hate can be considered an aggravating factor during sentencing. Additionally, charges related to hate speech, such as the willful promotion of hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and may be pursued at a later time.
The audio recording in question reportedly surfaced during a TikTok discussion, where Amaka expressed frustration over what she perceived as the marginalization of Igbos by other Nigerian tribes. She allegedly suggested that the time had come to take action against these communities, going as far as to threaten to poison the food of her Yoruba colleagues at work.
The recording sparked outrage within the Nigerian community in Canada and beyond, leading to calls from members of the Nigerian House of Representatives and various Nigerian groups for Amaka’s immediate arrest.
In a follow-up audio message, Amaka dismissed the calls for her arrest and deportation, confidently stating that as a Canadian citizen, she believed no action could be taken against her.
The Toronto Police have urged anyone with further information about the case to contact them directly or through Crime Stoppers. The investigation remains ongoing, with the potential for additional charges as the case develops.
Morris designer
September 2, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Is all about the threats given to Igbos in Nigeria and diaspora that makes the woman to says that to be frank, is the anger that makes the woman to says that.let the police officer to arrest the yoroba people that have been threatening Igbos that is leaving in Lagos for some months now..