A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 38-year-old South African woman, Will Ann, to 25 years in prison for unlawfully importing 5.75 kilograms of heroin into Nigeria.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu handed down the sentence on Thursday after Ann pleaded guilty to a two-count charge filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Ann was arrested on July 6 during the inward clearance of passengers aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR1433 from Doha at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. She was travelling with her three-year-old son.
The NDLEA said operatives found 14 large blocks of heroin concealed in two suitcases linked to Ann. She was later arraigned in August and pleaded guilty to conspiracy and unlawful importation.
In court, Ann pleaded for leniency, saying she was remorseful and did not know the bags contained illicit drugs. She also promised not to commit the offence again.
However, Justice Egwuatu said a guilty plea and her earlier extrajudicial statement established the offence, adding that the law could not be influenced by emotions.
The judge sentenced her to 15 years on the first count and 25 years on the second, with both terms to run concurrently. She will therefore serve 25 years in prison.
The prosecution had told the court that the heroin was worth about N18 million per kilogramme.
The court also ordered that the seized heroin be destroyed if Ann does not appeal within the period allowed by law.
