A Canada‑based Nigerian, Kayode Roberts, has been charged by the Toronto Police Service with alleged hate‑motivated criminal harassment and related offences following an investigation into incidents in Toronto.
Toronto Police Service published a statement on its official website outlining that the charges against Roberts stem from incidents alleged to have occurred between July 1 and December 29, 2025.
Canadian law allows police and prosecutors to treat certain criminal offences as suspected hate‑motivated offences when there is evidence that bias, prejudice or hate may have played a role.
The Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto handles criminal cases in the province of Ontario, including matters involving alleged harassment and related offences.
Toronto police allege that during three separate incidents between July 1 and December 29, 2025, Roberts assaulted and harassed a neighbour, issued threats and kicked the neighbour’s dog.
The police statement said that during these incidents the accused is alleged to have made anti‑2SLGBTQI+ remarks directed at the victim.
Roberts, a 40‑year‑old resident of Toronto, was located and arrested by police on February 4, 2026.
He has been charged with assault, uttering threats, criminal harassment and wilfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal.
The police statement noted that if a person is charged and convicted in a hate‑motivated offence, a judge may consider bias as an aggravating factor during sentencing.
Roberts is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street, Toronto, on March 19, 2026, at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 202.The police emphasised that all charges remain allegations and that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The charges reflect the application of Canadian criminal law in cases involving alleged hate‑motivated harassment and related offences.
The designation of a case as a suspected hate‑motivated offence may involve consultation with Crown prosecutors under Canadian legal procedures. The scheduled court appearance sets a judicial process in motion for Roberts to respond to the charges.
