.A South African Woman, Jessica Will has been sentenced to 25 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.
Penpushing reports that the woman was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives on 6 July at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after 14 large blocks of heroin were found in her luggage
The trial judge, Obiora Egwuatu, sentenced the 38-year-old woman on Thursday after she pleaded guilty to two counts brought against her by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Penpushing further report that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a statement explained that the woman was sentenced to 15 years on the first count and 25 years on the second, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, on Thursday said Will was arrested by the operatives on July 6, 2026 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after 14 large blocks of heroin were found in her luggage.
Penpushing also reports that the statement added that the convict arrived on Qatar Airways flight QR 1433 from Doha and initially denied having checked-in luggage, stating that officers later found that the tags on the two bags containing the drugs matched the claim tags attached to her passport.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the statement said the woman subsequently admitted that the bags belonged to her, saying she had forgotten that she checked them in.
Penpushing reports that the statement stated that she told investigators that she had travelled from Cambodia through Doha to Abuja, adding that further investigation linked her to an alleged transnational drug trafficking network operating along the Cambodian-South African route.
The Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency also identified her partner, Jan Coenraad De Jager, as an alleged member of the network, adding that he(De Jager) was arrested in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 27, 2026 while attempting to traffic 3.2kg of illicit drugs to Hong Kong.
Penpushing further reports that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Buba Marwa reacting to the judgment, said the conviction showed the judiciary’s support for the agency’s efforts against drug trafficking.
“The conviction reflects the judiciary’s support for NDLEA’s efforts and reinforces the agency’s resolve that Nigeria will not serve as a soft landing for international drug cartels,” he stated.
Penpushing also reports that the retired brigadier general, also linked the arrest of Will’s partner in South Africa to intelligence-sharing between the agency and its international partners.
The agency boss said the establishment would continue to strengthen airport interdiction, intelligence-led operations and international cooperation to disrupt transnational drug trafficking networks.
Penpushing reports that he warned that anyone caught trafficking illicit drugs through Nigeria, regardless of nationality, would face the full weight of the law.
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