Amaka Sonnberger, a 46-year-old Canadian-Nigerian woman, is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, after being arrested by Toronto Police for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against the Nigerian community.
According to a statement released by the Toronto Police Service on Sunday, Sonnberger was taken into custody on September 1, 2024, and charged with uttering threats.
The investigation was launched after a report was received on August 28, 2024, regarding a threatening incident.
Authorities allege that Sonnberger posted online content on August 25, 2024, threatening the lives of specific members of the Nigerian community.
The Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit is involved in the investigation, which is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense.
Sonnberger’s arrest comes after the Nigerian House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission petitioned the Canadian authorities, demanding an investigation and prosecution.
The incident sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians, with many calling for her arrest and prosecution.
Prominent Nigerians, including Peter Obi and Abubakar Atiku, have condemned the incident, expressing their outrage over the hate-motivated threats. Sonnberger had previously dismissed the possibility of arrest or deportation, despite the Nigerian government revealing her identity for making threatening comments against Yoruba and Benin people.
Sonnberger will face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Monday.
