The House of Representatives has reached out to the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, His Excellency, James Christoff, regarding Nigeria’s Ms. Amaka Patience Sunnberger, who is accused of incitement, genocide, and hate speech against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Canada.
This communication follows a disclosure by the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri, who identified Sunnberger as the person behind a disturbing threat aimed at brave fellow Nigerians in Canada.
In a video circulating on X, a woman’s voice, later identified as Sunnberger’s, can be heard making anti-Yoruba comments during what appears to be a virtual TikTok meeting.
Speaking primarily in Pidgin English, the woman stated, “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 one by one.”
She further vowed to take poisonous substances to her workplace to harm any Yoruba or Benin person she encounters, citing alleged “hate” against the Igbo as her motivation.
Despite other voices interjecting and prodding her, it is unclear how many people participated in the meeting.
The letter from the House of Representatives, signed by the Chairma, Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, Hon. Biodun Omoleye and Chairmen of the House Committee on Diaspora, Tochukwu Chinedu Okere, Matters, is titled ‘Petition Against Amaka Patience Sunnberger for Incitement to Genocide and Hate Speech Against Yoruba and Edo Ethnic Groups’.
It expressed deep concern over Sunnberger’s inflammatory statements, which call for the poisoning of food and water supplies to incite mass genocide against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups.
The letter emphasizes that Sunnberger’s statements are a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians and constitute a violation of multiple international, Canadian, and Ontario laws.
The Representatives cite violations including Article 20(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination as well as specific sections of the Criminal Code of Canada and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
“Ms. Sunnberger has recently been recorded making inflammatory statements that inciteagainst the Yoruba and Ede otheke and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria, including advocating for 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 volence 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.
“Violation of International, Canadian, and Ontario Laws,” the read in part
“Her public incitement of hatred against the Yoruba and Edo people is prohibited under Section 319 (1), which criminalises the communication of statements in public that incite hared against any identifiable group, where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace.
-Crimínal Code of Canada – Section 319 (2).
“Furthermore, her willful promotion of hatred through the advocacy of mass poisoning and genocide is punishable under Section 319 (2) of the Criminal Code.
-Criminal Code of Canada – Section 264.1:
“Ms. Sunnberger’s threat to use poisoning as a method of killing also violate Section 264.1 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits the utterance of threat to cause death or bodily harm.
“Her speech violates Sections 1 and 13 (1) of the Ontario Human Rights Code, which protect individuals from discrimination and harassment on the basis of race and ethnicity. Her advocacy for the mass genocide of specific ethnic groups directly contravenes these protections,” the letter added
In response to these grave concerns, the House of Representatives calls for immediate action, including a thorough investigation and prosecution of Ms. Sunnberger by Canadian authorities.
They also urge the Canadian government to publicly denounce her actions and to collaborate with Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence as a result of her incitement.
The letter concludes by stressing the strong bilateral relationship between Canada and Nigeria, founded on mutual respect for human rights and the rule of law, and expresses confidence that Canadian authorities will take the necessary steps to address this serious issue.
“In light of the seriousness of these violations, we respectfully request the following actions, “Investigation: An immediate and thorough investigation should be conducted into Ms. Sunnberger’s actions by Canadian law enforcement and appropriate authorities.
“Prosecution: 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 ha e speech.
“Public Denouncement: We request that the Canadian government issue a public condemnation of Ms. Sunnberger’s actions to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to combatting hatred speech, violence, and genocide.
“Collaboration with Nigerian Authorities: We also request that Canadian authorities collaborate with Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence as a result 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 and rule of law. The action of Ms. Sunnberg 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.
“We look forward to your prompt action on this matter,” the letter concluded.
