Amaka charged for threatening Yoruba, Benin groups with poison

A Canadian-Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, 46, was taken into custody by Toronto Police on September 1, 2024, following an investigation into online threats she reportedly posted on August 25.

The threats were directed at specific members of the Nigerian community.

Sonnberger, who has been charged with uttering threats, will face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice.

The case is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense, with the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit leading the investigation.

The Toronto Police Service confirmed the arrest in a statement released early on September 2, 2024, titled:

“Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested.”

The statement 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 offense.

“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.”

Detailed reason for Amaka ‘s arrest

The police arrested Amaka for making threatening statements during a TikTok meeting on or around August 25, 2024.

These included a call for the mass killing of Nigerians, specifically targeting Yoruba and Benin people.

Her actions led to charges of uttering threats, prompting the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit to investigate the case.

Amaka is scheduled to appear in court on September 2, 2024, at the Ontario Court of Justice to face these charges.

Legal implications of her arrest

Uttering threats under Canadian law:

Canadian law defines uttering threats as a criminal offense under Section 264.1 of the Criminal Code.

This law criminalizes the act of knowingly uttering, conveying, or causing any person to receive a threat to cause death or bodily harm.

If convicted, the penalties for uttering threats can vary based on the severity of the threat and its context.

In Amaka’s case, she directed the threat at specific ethnic groups, which could elevate the seriousness of the charges.

Hate crime considerations:

In Canada, bias, prejudice, or hate towards a specific group motivates a hate crime.

This bias can be based on factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

To prosecute a crime as a hate crime, the Crown must prove that hatred motivated the offense.

If found guilty of a hate-motivated offense, Amaka could face harsher penalties, including a longer prison sentence and higher fines.

Prosecutors scrutinize hate crimes more closely, reflecting the broader societal harm they cause.

Potential penalties:

If convicted, Amaka could face up to five years in prison for indictment or up to 18 months for summary conviction.

The hate crime designation could further increase her sentence, reflecting the crime’s impact on community relations and public safety.

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