South African woman jailed 25 years for heroin importation in Nigeria
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 38-year-old South African woman, Will Jessica Ann, to 25 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu convicted Ann on two counts filed by Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, including the unlawful importation of heroin and conspiracy to import the substance. The drugs were brought into Nigeria through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on July 6, according to court reports.
The court imposed a 15-year prison sentence on the first count and 25 years on the second count. Although the combined terms amount to 40 years, the judge ordered them to run concurrently, meaning Ann will serve a maximum of 25 years.
Justice Egwuatu said the court had considered Ann’s plea for leniency and her status as a first-time offender, but stressed that “crime does not pay” and that the law could not be guided by emotion.dailytrust
The court further ordered that the seized heroin be destroyed if Ann does not file an appeal within the period allowed by law.
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