The House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters has urged the Canadian government to take legal action against Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian citizen residing in Canada, for hate speech.
This request was outlined in a letter co-signed by Tochukwu Okere, Chairman of the Committee, and Biodun Omoleye, Chairman of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The call for action follows a viral TikTok video in which Sunnberger was heard making violent threats against Nigerians living in Canada. In the clip, she said, “Record me, it’s time to start poisoning the meals of the Yorubas and Benin people, poison their food and drinks at work so they can begin to die one by one.”
In the letter, dated August 28, 2024, and addressed to James Christoff, Canada’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, the lawmakers expressed that Sunnberger’s remarks pose a “direct threat” to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians.
“On behalf of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the actions of Ms. Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian citizen residing in Canada,” the letter states.
“Ms. Sunberger has recently been recorded making inflammatory statements that incite violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria, including advocating for the poisoning of food and water supplies to achieve their mass genocide.
“We urge that Ms. Sunnberger be prosecuted under the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada to hold her accountable for her incitement to genocide and hate speech,” the lawmakers said.
“We request that the Canadian government issue a public condemnation of Ms. Sunnberger’s actions to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to combatting hate speech, violence, and genocide.
“We also request that Canadian authorities collaborate with Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence because of Ms. Sunnberger’s incitement, and to ensure that justice is served.
“Canada and Nigeria share a strong bilateral relationship founded on mutual respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“The actions of Ms. Sunnberger threaten to undermine these values. We trust that you will take all necessary steps to address this issue in accordance with Canadian and international law.”
