A Nigerian athlete studying in the United States, 23-year-old Godson Oghenebrume, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm and firing several shots during a confrontation involving his former girlfriend and their infant child.
The Punch reported that the sentence was handed down by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly Dick, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, Kurt Wall.
Wall said Oghenebrume was convicted for possession of a firearm by “an alien admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa.”
He added that the Nigerian “is also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completion of his sentence.”
The statement explained that Oghenebrume admitted to unlawfully possessing a Glock model 43X, 9mm pistol on February 7, 2025, while residing in the United States on an F-1 student visa.
According to prosecutors, the incident began after Oghenebrume’s former girlfriend, who shares an infant child with him, arrived at his apartment carrying the baby. She reportedly found him in the company of another woman.
The US Attorney’s Office stated, “Oghenebrume, who had been in the apartment with another young woman, went outside, and an argument ensued between him and the mother of his child.
“During this argument, and while the baby was present, Oghenebrume discharged the firearm.”
Authorities said Oghenebrume later returned inside the apartment, but the dispute intensified after his ex-girlfriend entered and discovered him with the other woman.
Wall added, “That argument spilled out of the apartment, and Oghenebrume discharged the firearm more times as the mother of his child fled. Multiple bullet strikes were observed in the walls of the apartment complex.”
Prosecutors further alleged that Oghenebrume destroyed his former girlfriend’s mobile phone before taking custody of the infant, who remained at the scene throughout the altercation.
The statement continued, “Oghenebrume’s ex-girlfriend then approached the other woman, who was attempting to leave, and asked her for help getting the baby. She agreed to help and was able to get the child from Oghenebrume.”
Investigators said deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene shortly afterwards, but Oghenebrume allegedly ignored their orders and attempted to dispose of the firearm.
“When East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the apartment complex, Oghenebrume walked away from them, ignoring their commands, and discarded the Glock model 43X, 9mm pistol into some shrubs. Oghenebrume was detained soon thereafter.”
A resident of the apartment complex later told investigators he heard the gunfire, saying that “his ears had been ringing.”
During a post-Miranda interview, detectives questioned Oghenebrume about why he opened fire.
The statement said, “He claimed that he had wanted his ex-girlfriend to go home and that he had shot the gun to scare her away.”
The development comes just days after another Nigerian national, Ayodeji Ajayi, was deported from the United States following multiple criminal convictions, including domestic violence.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Ajayi had remained in the country unlawfully after originally entering the United States on a student visa nearly 20 years ago.
