Nigeria urged to extradite Canada-based woman for hate speech

Nigerian authorities are being urged to extradite a Canada-based woman accused of hate speech. Get the latest on this international legal request.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a civil rights advocacy group, has strongly denounced the recent video that’s been widely shared on social media. The disturbing footage features Amaka Sunnberger, a Nigerian woman living in Ontario, Canada who allegedly advocates for mass poisoning against Yoruba and Benin individuals.

In a statement endorsed by their national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the association urged authorities in Nigeria and Canada to promptly take resolute action to arrest, extradite and prosecute the woman for her provocative comments that pose a threat.

The alarming footage, which has spread widely on various platforms, purportedly shows Sunnberger inciting Igbos to poison individuals of Yoruba and Benin descent. She expresses her animosity towards them and advocates for their demise through a gradual and torturous process via contaminated food or water.

During a TikTok live session, the video has generated fury and prompted numerous demands for justice.

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HURIWA has showing a strong reaction to this incident, as the organization remains committed to advocating for human rights and justice in Nigeria.

HURIWA pointed out that the association had previously spoken up promptly when Igbos were ordered to depart Lagos due to a comparable situation. Consequently, HURIWA urged for Sunnberger’s case be approached with similar diligence and consistency.

HURIWA asserted that inciting ethnic hatred to carry out mass murder has no grounds for justification. They urged the Canadian and Nigerian governments to apprehend Sunnberger without delay and subject her to law enforcement actions, as this is a blatant case of cyber harassment resulting in violence instigation. It should be dealt with severely by implementing legal measures against it.

Despite residing in Canada, Sunnberger remains a Nigerian citizen and should be held responsible for her actions emphasized by HURIWA. The organization demanded that she face trial in Nigeria for hate speech, which is considered a significant criminal offense and requested her extradition to the country.

According to the association, Sunnberger remains a Nigerian citizen irrespective of her location in Europe or America and should face arrest and prosecution for her crime. The association recommends that Nigeria seek extradition if required, to bring Sunnberger back for trial.

HURIWA expressed anxieties regarding the apparent discriminatory responses of Nigerian government officials and security agencies, especially those from the Department of State Services (DSS).

The association noted that during a previous incident where Igbos were threatened in Lagos, the DSS did not take decisive action against those responsible despite their notable silence on the matter.

HURIWA declared that the selective response to ethnic-based threats in Nigeria is unacceptable and poses a danger to our nation, as evidenced by the DSS’s lack of action when Igbos were threatened with expulsion from Lagos.

HURIWA contended that failing to respond consistently to threats could inspire others to make similarly provocative statements without consequences. They raised the question of why those who made remarks like “Igbos should leave Lagos” were not apprehended by the DSS, highlighting how this disparity is damaging for both national cohesion and safety. HURIWA demanded equal treatment from law enforcement regardless of a person’s ethnicity or background in cases where such dangerous rhetoric was used.

Given the extreme nature of Sunnberger’s statements, HURIWA proposed the possibility of her being afflicted by a psychological disorder. As a result, they advised that she should undergo an in-depth psychiatric evaluation to ascertain her mental condition.

HURIWA stated that although there is no excuse for Sunnberger’s comments, which suggests she may require mental evaluation as a psychopath. If deemed mentally stable, HURIWA believes she should face legal consequences to the fullest extent of her careless and perilous remarks.

The commendable comment made by President Bola Tinubu regarding the threat against Igbos during his End Bad Governance Protest broadcast was acknowledged by the association. Nonetheless, HURIWA emphasized that no specific directive had been given to either police or DSS for pursuing those accountable for such threats.

HURIWA urged that despite acknowledging the threats against Igbos, it is necessary for the President to issue clear instructions to security agencies in order to detain and prosecute any individual promoting hatred or attempting genocide.

HURIWA expressed that a comprehensive and fair approach was necessary to address any type of ethnic-motivated dangers or disrespectful language in Nigeria.

The association emphasized the importance of apprehending and prosecuting Sunnberger as well as those who posed a threat to Igbos in Lagos. Doing so is vital not only for maintaining national security but also for preserving the values of fairness and impartiality within our legal system.

The association concluded that it is imperative to prevent individuals from provoking violence and animosity without consequences. They advocate for the law’s fair implementation, irrespective of ethnic origins, as they persist in their pursuit of justice. HURIWA strives towards a secure and guarded Nigeria where every inhabitant enjoys safety.