Amaka Patience Sonnberger, the Nigerian-born Canadian citizen behind the infamous kpai Yoruba and Bini rant has been arrested by the Toronto Police Department in Canada.
The Toronto Police Service confirmed the arrest and provided details of the ongoing case in a statement titled: “Suspected hate-motivated threatening investigation, woman arrested,”
Ms Sonnberger caused media outrage in Nigeria and the diaspora community last week when a video emerged where she called on Igbo indigenes to poison the food and water of their fellow Nigerians of Yoruba and Bini extractions.
Sunnberger was seen telling a gathering in pidgin English, “Record me very well; it’s time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison for all una food for work. Put poison for una water, make una dey kpai (die) one by one,”
“I want make Ndi Igbo get that heart of wickedness. Una too dey quiet,” the woman said, addressing other participants. “Enough is enough! If you have any means of kpaing them, kpai them comot for road.”
She also boasted afterwards that she had immunity because of her Canadian citizenship.
However, Toronto Police said it has “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.”
Prominent Nigerians, especially of her Ibo tribe, including Ohaneze Ndigbo, Peter Obi, and others, have denounced her call, describing her action as unacceptable.
PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING HER ARREST
Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation,
Woman Arrested,
Unit:
Intelligence Services
Case #: 2024-1883952 Published: Sunday, September 1, 2024, 9:00 PM SHARE (OPENS IN NEW WINDOW)
The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of an arrest made in a suspected hate-motivated threatening investigation.
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Toronto Police received a call for a threatening incident. .
It is alleged that:
the accused posted online content on or about August 25, 2024 threatening death to specific members of the Nigerian community.
On Sunday, September 1, 2024, Toronto Police arrested Amaka Sonnberger, 46, of Toronto.
She has been charged with:
Uttering Threats
She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 2201 Finch Avenue West on Monday, September 2nd, 2024, at 10:00am in courtroom 107 .
This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
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.
