A South African mother, Will Jessica Ann, has admitted unlawfully importing 5.75 kilograms of heroin into the country on July 6.

Ann also admitted conspiring with one Jan Coenraad De Jager, a male South African, who is said to be at large.

She admitted committing the offences when she pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a two-count charge brought against her under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (NDLEA).

The defendant is charged, in count one, with conspiracy under

Section 14 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act 2004, which provides for a prison sentence of not less than 15 years and not exceeding 25 years upon conviction.

She is, in count two, charged with unlawful importation of 5.75 kilograms of heroin, under Section 11(a) of the same NDLEA Act, which provides for life imprisonment upon conviction.

The counts in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/422/2026, read:

*That you, Will Jessica Ann, female, adult, a South African citizen, with International passport number A20785662, and Jan Coenraad De Jager, male, a South African citizen (at large), on or about the 6th day of July, 2026, at the arrival hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, during the inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight No. QR1433 from Doha to Abuja, without lawful authority, conspired to import 5.75 kilograms of heroin, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

*That you, Will Jessica Ann, female, adult, a South African citizen, with International passport number A20785662, on or about the 6th day of July, 2026, at the arrival hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, during the inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight No. QR1433 from Doha to Abuja, without lawful authority, imported 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Shortly after the defendant pleaded to the charge, the prosecuting lawyer, A G. Yuanyam, applied for the review of the facts of the case.

When asked by the judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, why he was in haste to have the facts of the case promptly reviewed, Yuanyam said he was concerned about the custody of the three-year-old boy arrested with the defendant.

Yuanyam said the boy has been with her mother in the custody of the NDLEA since she was arrested, adding that the prosecuting agency was interested in handing over the child to the authorities of the South African High Commission in the country.

Justice Egwuatu then directed Yuanyam to file a formal application in relation to the child’s custody and adjourned till September 8 for the review of facts. (The Nation)

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