Forty-six-year-old Amaka Sunnberger has been arrested by the Canadian government following an inciteful and hateful comment made on a post against some ethnic tribes in Nigeria on social media on August 25, 2024.
Amaka, the Canadian Nigerian-based woman was arrested by the Toronto Police and arraigned on Monday 2nd September 2024 before 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.
Toronto Police Service, in a Sunday statement on its website titled, “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested,” revealed this.
It read, “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.”
“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,” it concluded.
Last week, the House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission petitioned the Canadian authorities, demanding an investigation and prosecution of the woman after revealing her identity to the public.
However, Sunnberger had dismissed the possibility of arrest or deportation after the Nigerian House of Representatives urged the Canadian government to prosecute her for inciting violence and genocide against the Yoruba and Benin people.
Source: Punch
