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Canadian-Based Nigerian Amaka Sonnberger, Threatening Yoruba Risks Two-Year Jail

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JomogNews Nigeria reports that Canada-based Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger who was arrested on Monday risks a potential two-year prison sentence in the country or deportation if found guilty of calling for violence against Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent.

The suspect is set to appear in court on September 2, 2024, following her arrest by Toronto Police on September 1, 2024, for allegedly making hate-motivated threats against the Nigerian community.

Section 319 (1a) of the Canadian Criminal Code, as retrieved by our correspondent from the Canada Justice Laws website, states that anyone convicted of public incitement could face up to two years in prison.

The section reads, “Everyone who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace is guilty of (a) an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.”

PUNCH Metro’s findings further reveal that the two-year jail term will only apply to Sonnberger if she is a Canadian citizen and is found guilty.

However, if Sonnberger is convicted as a migrant, she could face deportation if she holds either temporary or permanent resident status in Canada. This information is based on the “Migrants Know Your Rights Guide —Facing Immigration Arrest, Detention, Deportation,” published in 2021 by the International Human Rights Programme at the University of Ontario, Butterfly (an Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network), and the Immigration Legal Committee (No One Is Illegal Toronto).

As stated in the guide, any migrant in Canada who receives a prison sentence of more than six months may face deportation.

The guide partly reads, “If you are convicted of a crime, you could lose your immigration status. Whether you lose your status depends on ‘how serious’ the crime is, the specific crime committed, and the type of status you possess (e.g., temporary status, permanent resident status).

“For instance, someone with permanent resident status could lose that status if they receive a prison sentence of over six months for a given crime, or if the crime carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 (or more) years.

“On the other hand, someone without permanent resident status could lose their immigration status if they are convicted of an ‘indictable’/‘hybrid’ offence or two different offences that arose from separate events, even if they are minor.”

During a virtual meeting on TikTok last Tuesday, Sonnberger was heard calling for the poisoning of individuals of Yoruba and Benin descent.

Speaking mainly in Pidgin English, threatening to poison the Yoruba and Benin people, Sonnberger ranted, “Record me very well; it’s time to start poisoning the Yoruba and Benin. Put poison for all una food for work. Put poison for una water; make una dey kpai one by one.”

Her hateful remarks ignited widespread outrage, prompting Nigerians from all walks of life to call for her investigation and arrest by the Canadian authorities.

In a swift response, the Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit announced the suspect’s arrest, stating that the case would be handled as a hate-motivated offence.

A statement titled, “Suspected Hate-Motivated Threatening Investigation, Woman Arrested”, by the Toronto Police dated September 1, 2024, shared on its website partly read, “Toronto Police have 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.”

The statement indicated that the crimes could involve consultation with the Crown. If convicted, hatred is considered an aggravating factor in sentencing. Additionally, charges related to hate speech, such as promoting hatred or advocating genocide, require the Attorney General’s consent and are often subject to delays.

“When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to the police, the investigation could be led by a Divisional Investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit, 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 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 that require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time,” it concluded.

The suspect had recently boasted that she could not be arrested because she was a Canadian.

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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