Reps urge Canadian govt to prosecute woman threatening to ‘poison’ Yoruba, Benin people

The House of Representatives has formally requested the Canadian government to investigate and prosecute Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian residing in Canada, following her threatening comments against fellow Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent.

The controversy began when a video clip, that went viral on X.com on Tuesday featured a woman’s voice making inflammatory anti-Yoruba comments during a virtual meeting on TikTok.

The woman, identified as Sunnberger and reportedly a resident of Ontario, Canada, vowed to poison Yoruba and Benin individuals she encountered, citing alleged “hate” against the Igbo community.

In a letter signed by Biodun Omoleye and Tochukwu Chinedu Okere, federal lawmakers expressed deep concern over Sunnberger’s comments, which they argue constitute a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians.

The letter highlighted the severity of her statements, describing them as incitements to violence and genocide, which breach multiple international and Canadian laws.

The letter reads in part:

“On behalf of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group and the House Committee on Diaspora Matters, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the actions of Ms. Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian citizen residing in Canada.

“Ms Sunnberger has recently been recorded making inflammatory statements that incite violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria, including advocating the poisoning of food and water supplies to achieve their mass genocide.

“Ms. Sunnberger’s recorded statements constitute a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians. Her incitement to violence and call for genocide through poisoning are not only deeply troubling but also represent a clear violation of multiple international, Canadian, and Ontario laws.

“Such rhetoric is dangerous and has the potential to incite real-world violence, both in Nigeria and within the Nigerian diaspora.”

The lawmakers’ letter specifically points out violations of several laws, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the Criminal Code of Canada.

In their request, they call for:

1. Investigation: An immediate and thorough investigation into Ms. Sunnberger’s actions by Canadian law enforcement and appropriate authorities.
2. Prosecution: Prosecution under relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada for her incitement to genocide and hate speech.
3. Public Denouncement: A public condemnation of Ms. Sunnberger’s actions by the Canadian government to reaffirm its commitment to combating hate speech, violence, and genocide.
4. Collaboration with Nigerian Authorities: Collaboration between Canadian and Nigerian authorities to prevent potential escalation of violence and ensure justice is served.

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