By Florencemary Nwabueze
ABUJA — A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 38-year-old South African woman, identified as Will Jessica Ann to 25 years in prison for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu handed down the sentence on Thursday after Ann pleaded guilty to the charge. While delivering the sentence, the judge said Nigerian law does not recognise emotions.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned Ann in August on a charge of unlawfully importing the drug into the country. The agency said she was arrested in July while travelling with her three-year-old son.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA said Ann was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after she was found with the illicit drug.
Ann subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge before the court. Following her guilty plea, the court convicted her and sentenced her to 25 years imprisonment.