Toronto Police have arrested Amaka Sonnberger, a Canadian-Nigerian woman, following an investigation into online threats she made against Yoruba and Benin citizens living in Canada.
The arrest was announced in a statement titled “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested” on Sunday.
Sonnberger allegedly posted threatening content on August 25, 2024, which led to her apprehension on September 1, 2024.
She has been charged with uttering threats and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on September 2, 2024.
The case is being handled as a suspected hate-motivated offence, with the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit involved in the investigation. The police noted that hate-motivated crimes could involve consultation with the Crown, and if convicted, hate is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing.
The statement also mentioned that hate speech charges, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and are often delayed.
Toronto Police are urging anyone with additional information to contact them or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
“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,” the statement read.
“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,” the statement added.