Justice has finally caught up with a South African woman in Nigeria, she’s been sentenced to 25 years for drug trafficking.
A Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the ruling this week, the case involved a huge quantity of heroin smuggled through Nigerian soil.
This South African heroin smuggling case centered on 38-year-old Will Jessica Ann, she was found guilty of importing 5.75 kilograms of heroin into the country.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu handed down two separate sentences during the hearing. She received 15 years on the first count and 25 years on the second.
Both sentences will run at the same time, this means Ann will ultimately serve 25 years behind bars.
The NDLEA arraigned her in August after she pleaded guilty, her charges included conspiracy and unlawful importation of hard drugs.
Officials say she was arrested in July at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, she had just arrived on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha, traveling with her young son.
This South African heroin smuggling case unraveled when suitcases were linked to her passport, investigators found 14 large blocks of heroin inside two bags.
Ann initially denied owning the luggage, she later admitted the bags belonged to her, claiming she forgot she had checked them in.
In court, she expressed deep regret over her actions, she insisted she never knew the bags contained illegal drugs.
The judge remained firm despite her emotional plea, he stated plainly that the law does not bend to feelings.
According to reports, prosecutors highlighted the drug’s high street value during sentencing, authorities also linked Ann to a wider trafficking network operating between Cambodia and South Africa.
She reportedly admitted working alongside her partner in the illegal operation, the court has ordered the seized heroin destroyed if no appeal is filed.
