South African Woman Gets 25 Years for Importing Heroin into Nigeria

By Vivian Okejeme

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a South African woman, Ann Jessica Will, to 25 years’ imprisonment for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.

The convict pleaded guilty to the two-count criminal charge filed against her by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following her arrest on July 6 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In the first count, she admitted conspiring with one Jan Coenraad De Jager, a South African male who is said to be at large.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Egwuatu held that in a criminal trial where a defendant pleads guilty, the burden of proof is not in issue, as the admission of the offence constitutes conclusive proof.

“I have listened to the prosecution talk about the street value of the drug. I have also listened to the defence lawyer and the convict, and considered the fact that she is a first-time offender.

“I am persuaded not to give the maximum sentence. The defendant is hereby sentenced to 15 years on count one and 25 years on count two.

“The sentences are to run concurrently,” Egwuatu held.

Earlier, counsel to the convict had pleaded with the court to be lenient, noting that she is a mother and has nobody in Nigeria to look after the young baby she brought into the country.

Will also pleaded with the court for mercy, claiming that she was unaware of the contents of the bags allegedly handed to her by an acquaintance of her fiancé before she travelled to Nigeria.

“I did not know there were drugs in the bags. I have learnt my lesson,” she said.

She was charged in count one with conspiracy under Section 14 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, 2004, which provides for a prison term of not less than 15 years and not more than 25 years upon conviction.

In count two, she was charged with the unlawful importation of 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin under Section 11(a) of the same NDLEA Act, which provides for life imprisonment upon conviction.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/422/2026, read:

“That you, Will Jessica Ann, female, adult, a South African citizen, and Jan Coenraad De Jager, male, a South African citizen (at large), on or about the 6th day of July, 2026, at the arrival hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, during the inward clearance of Qatar Airways Flight No. QR1433 from Doha to Abuja, without lawful authority, conspired to import 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”