Toronto police have detained Amaka Sonnberger, a 46-year-old Nigerian woman, following the emergence of a viral audio recording in which she allegedly threatened to poison and kill Yoruba and Edo individuals residing in Canada. The arrest took place on September 1, 2024, after authorities were alerted to an online post made around August 25, 2024, containing threats against specific members of the Nigerian community.
Sonnberger has been formally charged with Uttering Threats and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice at 2201 Finch Avenue West on Monday, September 2, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 107.
The Toronto Police Service has stated, “This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence.” They have also asked anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or through the website www.222tips.com.
The police added that investigations into suspected hate-motivated crimes might involve a Divisional investigator with the Hate Crime Unit’s support or, in some cases, be handled exclusively by the HCU. If a criminal offence is found to be motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown, and if the accused is convicted, the Judge will consider hate as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Charges related to the willful promotion of hatred and advocacy of genocide, which fall under hate speech offences, require the Attorney General’s consent and might be pursued later.
The audio recording reportedly captured Sonnberger making threats during a TikTok discussion, where she expressed frustration over the perceived marginalization of Igbos by other tribes and suggested the elimination of those tribes. Additionally, she allegedly threatened to poison the food of her Yoruba colleagues at work the next day.
In response, members of the Nigerian House of Representatives and various Nigerian groups called for her immediate arrest. However, Sonnberger dismissed these calls in a subsequent audio message, claiming her Canadian citizenship and expressing confidence that no action could be taken against her.
