A South African national, Will Jessica Ann, has been handed a 25-year prison sentence by the Federal High Court in Abuja after she pleaded guilty to importing 5.75kg of heroin into Nigeria.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu pronounced the sentence on Thursday after considering the facts presented by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Ann, aged 38, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after arriving in Nigeria from Doha in July.
How the Drugs Were Discovered
The NDLEA said its officers intercepted Ann during passenger clearance on July 6.
Fourteen blocks of heroin, with a combined weight of 5.75 kilogrammes, were reportedly concealed in two suitcases connected to her. The agency said the baggage information eventually linked the luggage to Ann.
The suspect had travelled with her three-year-old son. The NDLEA previously alleged that the child was used as a cover to reduce suspicion during the journey.
Investigators also said Ann had travelled from Cambodia through Doha before arriving in Abuja.
Guilty Plea Leads to Conviction
The NDLEA later brought Ann before the Federal High Court on charges involving conspiracy and unlawful importation of heroin.
She pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted involvement in the offence. Court proceedings also linked another South African national, Jan Coenraad De Jager, to the alleged conspiracy. He remains at large.
Justice Egwuatu noted that Ann had made admissions before her guilty plea and subsequently convicted her.
Sentence to Run Concurrently
During mitigation, Ann reportedly asked the court for mercy, expressed regret and said she would not repeat the offence.
The court, however, imposed 15 years for the conspiracy offence and 25 years for the unlawful importation charge.
Both terms will run concurrently. As a result, the total custodial sentence is 25 years.
The judge further directed that the seized heroin be destroyed if the convict does not file an appeal within the legally prescribed period.
