The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced 38 year old South African national Will Jessica Ann to 25 years in prison for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu imposed the sentence after Ann pleaded guilty to charges arising from the seizure of the drugs at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Brandspur Brand News reports that Ann was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on July 6, 2026, while passengers on Qatar Airways flight QR1433 from Doha were undergoing inward clearance.
NDLEA operatives recovered 14 large blocks of heroin weighing 5.75 kilogrammes from two suitcases linked to Ann. The agency had earlier charged her with conspiracy to import heroin and unlawful importation of the illicit substance.
During the airport operation, Ann initially denied travelling with checked luggage. However, operatives matched the baggage tags on the two suitcases with the claim tags attached to her passport, leading to the identification of the luggage as hers.
The South African arrived in Nigeria with her three year old son after travelling from Cambodia through Doha. During investigations, she reportedly claimed that she had forgotten that she had checked in the bags.
The NDLEA also alleged that its intelligence connected Ann to an international drug trafficking network operating along the Cambodia and South Africa route.
South African national Jan Coenraad De Jager was also named in connection with the alleged conspiracy. According to the case filed before the court, De Jager remains at large.
The proceedings also brought attention to the welfare of Ann’s young son, who remained with her in NDLEA custody after her arrest. Prosecuting counsel, A.G. Yuanyam, had told the court that arrangements were being pursued to transfer the child to officials of the South African High Commission in Nigeria.
Ann’s case began with the discovery of the heroin during passenger clearance at Abuja airport and proceeded to prosecution before the Federal High Court.
Her guilty plea subsequently paved the way for the court’s determination of the case, culminating in the 25 year prison sentence over the unlawful importation of the 5.75 kilogramme heroin consignment.
