Nigerian sprinter Godson Oghenebrume has been sentenced to 27 months in a United States federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm while on a student visa.
The sentencing was handed down by Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick in Louisiana after Oghenebrume pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a non-immigrant visa holder, a violation of U.S. law. Authorities say he is also likely to face deportation after serving his sentence.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the incident occurred on February 7, 2025, at Oghenebrume’s apartment in Baton Rouge. Prosecutors said an argument broke out between the athlete and the mother of his child, during which he discharged a firearm multiple times while the child was present.
The situation escalated as the woman fled the apartment, with bullets reportedly striking parts of the building. Oghenebrume later attempted to evade responding officers and discarded the weapon before being detained.
Officials confirmed the firearm was a Glock 43X 9mm pistol. No injuries were reported, but the incident drew concern from residents, with a neighbor reporting hearing gunshots.
Oghenebrume, who competed for Louisiana State University (LSU), was considered one of Nigeria’s promising sprinters. He recorded a personal best of 9.90 seconds in the 100m and was part of Nigeria’s 4x100m relay pool at the Tokyo Olympics. He also won silver at the 2023 NCAA Championships with LSU’s record-setting relay team.
The case has sparked widespread reactions online, with many expressing disappointment over the athlete’s fall from grace. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has yet to issue an official statement.
The incident highlights strict U.S. gun laws, particularly for foreign nationals on student visas, and marks a major setback in Oghenebrume’s athletics career.
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