A Canadian-Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, is set to appear in court today, Monday, September 2, 2024, following her arrest by Toronto Police for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against members of the Nigerian community.
The 46-year-old resident of Toronto has been charged with uttering threats and will face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice.
The case, which has garnered significant attention, is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offense, with the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit actively involved in the investigation.
In an official statement titled “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested,” the Toronto Police Service confirmed Sonnberger’s arrest and provided detailed information on the ongoing investigation.
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.”
The Toronto Police Service disclosed that Sonnberger was taken into custody on September 1, 2024, and subsequently charged with uttering threats.
She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West.
The police statement further elaborated on the nature of hate-motivated crimes, noting that such offenses may involve consultation with the Crown, and if convicted, hate is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing.
“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,” the statement explained.
Additionally, the statement highlighted that charges related to hate speech, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and are often delayed.
“Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offenses which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges.
These charges are often laid at a later time,” the statement concluded.
Toronto Police have urged anyone with information related to this case to contact them directly at 416-808-3500 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com. The investigation continues as the court proceedings begin today.
