Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A 23‑year‑old Nigerian sprinter and former Louisiana State University (LSU) track athlete has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm while in the United States on a student visa, an offence that will also lead to his deportation upon completion of his sentence. Godson Oghenebrume, a Nigerian national who was residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, received the sentence on Monday, June 29, 2026, from U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana.
Oghenebrume, who is also the younger brother of Nigerian long‑jump star Ese Brume, was admitted to the United States on an F‑1 student visa and had been studying and competing as a sprinter at LSU. However, his academic and athletic career came to an abrupt halt following a violent incident on February 7, 2025, at his apartment in Baton Rouge.
On the night of the incident, Oghenebrume was in his apartment with another young woman when his ex‑girlfriend, who is also the mother of his infant child, arrived at the apartment with the baby. An argument broke out between Oghenebrume and his ex‑girlfriend. During the confrontation, and while the baby was present, Oghenebrume discharged a Glock 43X 9mm pistol. He then went back inside, but the dispute continued. When his ex‑girlfriend opened the apartment door and saw him with the other woman, another argument erupted. The altercation spilled outside, and Oghenebrume fired more shots as the mother of his child fled. Multiple bullet strikes were later found on the walls of the apartment complex.
Oghenebrume also smashed his ex‑girlfriend’s phone and took the baby, who had been present throughout the entire incident. The ex‑girlfriend then approached the other woman, who was trying to leave, and begged for help to retrieve the child. The other woman agreed and successfully took the baby from Oghenebrume. When deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office arrived, Oghenebrume walked away from them, ignoring their commands, and threw the gun into some nearby shrubs. He was detained shortly afterwards.
During a post‑Miranda interview with detectives, Oghenebrume admitted that he had fired the weapon to scare his ex‑girlfriend and make her leave. He told investigators, “I just wanted her to go home. I fired to scare her”. A neighbour also confirmed hearing the shots and told officers that his ears were still ringing.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling transnational criminal organisations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy S. Johnson and Lyman E. Thornton III led the prosecution. U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the investigative agencies and described Oghenebrume’s actions as a serious breach of federal law, noting that the incident placed a child, neighbours, and responding officers at risk.
Oghenebrume, who won a silver medal for Nigeria in the men’s 4×100 metres relay at the 2024 African Athletics Championships in Cameroon, initially faced up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, he pleaded guilty and received a reduced sentence of 27 months.
Upon completion of his prison term, Oghenebrume will be subject to removal or deportation from the United States. His case serves as a stark reminder of the severe legal consequences for non‑citizens who possess firearms in the United States.
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