The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
A South African mother, Will Jessica Ann, has pleaded guilty to importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.
Ann, who was arrested with her three-year-old son, also admitted conspiring with another South African, Jan Coenraad De Jager, who is currently at large.
The defendant entered the plea yesterday before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) filed a two-count charge against her.
The NDLEA accused Ann of conspiracy to import heroin and unlawful importation of 5.75 kilogrammes of the illicit drug.
The offences allegedly occurred on July 6, 2026, at the arrival hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, during the inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1433 from Doha.
The first count, conspiracy, was brought under Section 14 of the NDLEA Act, 2004, which provides for a prison term of between 15 and 25 years upon conviction.
The second count, unlawful importation of heroin, was brought under Section 11(a) of the same Act, which provides for life imprisonment upon conviction.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/422/2026, alleged that Ann and De Jager, who is still at large, conspired to import the 5.75kg of heroin into Nigeria without lawful authority.
The NDLEA further alleged that Ann personally imported the substance during the clearance of the Qatar Airways flight.
Shortly after Ann pleaded guilty to the charges, the prosecuting counsel, A.G. Yuanyam, asked the court to allow him to review the facts of the case.
When Justice Egwuatu asked why he was seeking an expedited review, Yuanyam explained that the prosecution was concerned about the custody and welfare of Ann’s three-year-old son, who has remained with his mother in NDLEA custody since her arrest.
He said the agency was seeking to hand the child over to officials of the South African High Commission in Nigeria.
Justice Egwuatu subsequently directed the prosecutor to file a formal application addressing the child’s custody.
The judge adjourned till September 8 for a review of the facts of the case.
