The Nigerian House of Representatives has officially requested the Canadian government to investigate and prosecute Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian living in Canada.
Sunnberger is accused of making threatening and inflammatory statements against Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent.
The controversy began when a video clip surfaced on social media platform X.com, showing a woman making anti-Yoruba comments during a virtual meeting on TikTok.
The woman, later identified as Sunnberger, who claims to reside in Ontario, Canada, threatened to use poisonous substances against Yoruba and Benin individuals.
She argued that her comments were in response to perceived hostility against the Igbo ethnic group.
In the video, Sunnberger is heard saying: “Somebody just sends me a message, say them arrest me, say them wan deport me, with passport? I be Canada Pikin. See am now, I dey house, why I go dey lie?”
In response to the disturbing video, the House of Representatives has taken a firm stance. The House, through a letter signed by Biodun Omoleye, Chairman of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Tochukwu Chinedu Okere, Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora Matters, has urged the Canadian government to address the matter urgently.
The letter expressed grave concern over Sunnberger’s statements, labeling them as direct threats to the safety and well-being of millions of Nigerians.
It stated: “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.”
The House of Representatives has called for several specific actions from the Canadian government:
- Investigation: The lawmakers have requested an immediate and thorough investigation into Sunnberger’s actions by Canadian law enforcement authorities.
- Prosecution: They urged that Sunnberger be prosecuted under the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada for her incitement to violence and hate speech.
- Public Denouncement: The Nigerian House of Representatives is asking the Canadian government to publicly condemn Sunnberger’s actions to affirm Canada’s commitment to combating hate speech and violence.
- Collaboration: They also seek collaboration between Canadian and Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence resulting from Sunnberger’s threats and to ensure that justice is served.
Hate speech and incitement to violence are serious offenses under both international and Canadian laws.
