A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 38-year-old South African woman, Will Jessica Ann, to 25 years in prison for unlawfully importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday following the defendant’s guilty plea to the drug trafficking charge.
The case was prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Heroin Found at Abuja Airport
Ann was arrested on July 6, 2026, during the inward clearance of passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to the NDLEA, officers found 14 large blocks of heroin weighing 5.75 kilogrammes inside two pieces of checked luggage linked to the suspect. She had arrived on Qatar Airways Flight QR1433 from Doha.
The agency had earlier said Ann travelled with her three-year-old son and initially denied having checked-in luggage. Officers later established that the baggage tags matched the claim tags connected to her passport.
Defendant Pleads Guilty
Ann was subsequently arraigned before Justice Egwuatu on charges relating to conspiracy and unlawful importation of heroin.
During the proceedings, she admitted the offence. She also admitted involvement in the alleged conspiracy with another South African, Jan Coenraad De Jager, who remains at large.
The judge noted that the defendant had also admitted committing the offence in an earlier statement made outside the courtroom.
Justice Egwuatu held that a guilty plea, supported by the facts before the court, could result in conviction.
Court Imposes 25-Year Sentence
The prosecution urged the court to consider the seriousness and street value of the heroin when determining the sentence.
Ann was given an opportunity to plead for leniency. She reportedly expressed remorse and promised not to commit a similar offence again.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently imposed 15 years on the conspiracy count and 25 years on the unlawful importation count.
The two sentences are to run concurrently, meaning Ann will serve a maximum of 25 years in prison.
The court also ordered that the seized heroin be destroyed if the convict does not appeal within the period allowed by law.
