A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a South African national, Ann Jessica Will, to 25 years imprisonment for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday after convicting Will on two counts brought against her by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The court found her guilty of conspiracy and unlawful importation of hard drugs, offences that contravene provisions of the NDLEA Act.
Will was arrested on July 6, 2026, during inward clearance procedures at the Abuja airport after arriving on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. Investigations by anti-narcotics operatives led to the discovery of 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin allegedly concealed in her luggage.
The first count charged her with conspiring with another South African national, Jan Coenraad De Jager, who is currently at large. The second count related to the unlawful importation of narcotic substances into Nigeria.
The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges last month, a development that significantly influenced the court proceedings. Justice Egwuatu held that her guilty plea amounted to conclusive proof of the offences and eliminated the need for a lengthy trial.
Although prosecutors urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offence and the street value of the drug consignment, the judge declined to impose the maximum punishment of life imprisonment available under the law.
In delivering judgment, the court considered mitigating factors presented by the defence, including the fact that Will was a first-time offender and the mother of a young child. Her lawyer pleaded for mercy, arguing that a lengthy sentence would have significant consequences for her family.
Addressing the court, Will claimed she did not know the contents of the bags allegedly handed to her by an acquaintance of her fiancé. She told the court she had learned from the experience and appealed for leniency.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently sentenced her to 15 years imprisonment on the conspiracy count and 25 years on the unlawful importation count. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning she will serve 25 years in prison.
The conviction highlights the NDLEA’s ongoing campaign against international drug trafficking networks using Nigerian airports as transit routes. It also underscores the severe legal consequences awaiting individuals convicted of importing hard drugs into the country.
Authorities say efforts will continue to track down other members of the alleged trafficking network, including the co-defendant who remains at large.
