By Ola Kay
Amaka Sonnberger, a Canadian-Nigerian woman who has been trending in a widely shared video lately is to appear before the court on Monday, September 2, 2024, following her arrest by Toronto Police for issuing threats against members of the Nigerian community.
Reports say Sonnberger has been charged with uttering threats and will face a judge at the Ontario Court of Justice (time unknown).
Following her arrest by the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit who were involved in the investigation, treating the matter as a suspected hate-motivated offense.
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.
The statement reads: “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.
The equally observed that hate-motivated crimes may involve consultation with the Crown, and if convicted, hate is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing.
The statement by the police also observed 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.
“If it is alleged a criminal offense 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 offense, 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) offenses which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time,” the statement concluded.
Recall that Amaka Sonnberger had appeared in a fast circulating video, threatening as observed and boasting that being in Canada was her shield against any form of arrest, saying, “this is not Nigeria, nobody can arrest me.”
Nigerians at home are anxious to see the outcome of the case in court.
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