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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Nigerian Sprinter Oghenebrume Jailed 27 Months in USA, Faces Deportation

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Nigerian sprinter Godson Oghenebrume has been sentenced to 27 months in prison by a U.S. federal court for illegal firearm possession.
  • Oghenebrume, who was in the U.S. on a non-immigrant student visa, will be deported after serving his sentence.
  • The conviction stems from an incident involving a domestic dispute, a firearm discharge, and alleged endangerment of an infant.

Nigerian sprinter Godson Oghenebrume faces deportation after a U.S. federal court sentenced him to 27 months in prison for illegal firearm possession. The 23-year-old athlete, residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was found guilty of possessing a firearm as an alien admitted under a non-immigrant visa. U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced the sentence on June 30, 2026.

possession of a firearm by an alien admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa.

— U.S. Attorney Kurt L. WallU.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall stated the specific charge for which Godson Oghenebrume was sentenced.

Court documents reveal Oghenebrume admitted to possessing a Glock 43X 9mm pistol on February 7, 2025, while on an F-1 student visa. Prosecutors stated the incident originated from a domestic dispute involving his former girlfriend, the mother of his child, and another woman at his apartment. Following an argument outside, Oghenebrume allegedly discharged the firearm in the infant's presence.

The confrontation escalated, with authorities claiming he fired multiple shots as his ex-girlfriend fled with the child, causing bullet holes in the apartment complex. He was also accused of damaging her phone and briefly taking the infant before another woman retrieved the child. When law enforcement arrived, Oghenebrume reportedly ignored commands, discarded the handgun, and was taken into custody.

he possessed a Glock 43X 9mm pistol on February 7, 2025, despite being in the United States on an F-1 student visa.

— Godson OghenebrumeOghenebrume admitted to possessing the firearm during a plea agreement, as detailed in court documents.

During a post-Miranda interview, Oghenebrume confessed to firing the weapon, stating his intention was only to frighten his former girlfriend. The investigation involved the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. This conviction marks a significant downfall for the sprinter, whose career is now overshadowed by his legal troubles and impending removal from the United States.

he intended only to frighten his former girlfriend into leaving the premises.

— Godson OghenebrumeOghenebrume explained his motive for firing the weapon during a post-Miranda interview.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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