Toronto Canada- AMAKA PATIENCE SONNBERGER, the Canadian-Nigerian woman, is set to appear in court on Monday, September 2, 2024, following her arrest by Toronto police for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against some tribes ( Edo and Yoruba ) in Nigeria.
Amaka has been charged with uttering threats and will face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice.
In a statement titled “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested,” the Toronto Police Service confirmed the arrest and provided details of the ongoing case.
According to the statement, “Toronto Police arrested a woman in relation to an investigation into possible threats motivated by hate.” The arrest comes in response to a report of a threatening event that was received on August 28, 2024.
Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto has been accused by the authorities of posting internet content on or around August 25, 2024, threatening the lives of certain specific Nigerian community members.
“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 addressed as though the crime had a possible hate intent. If you have any information, the police ask that you call them at 416-808-3500. You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.
The Toronto Police statement stated that, in the event of a sentence, hate is regarded as an aggravating factor in punishment and that hate-motivated crimes could mean consultation with the Crown.
It added that charges related to hate speech, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and are often delayed.
“When suspected hate-motivated offenses 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.
