Nigerian Student Sentenced to Prison, Faces Deportation After U.S. Shooting Incident

A 23-year-old Nigerian student and former LSU athlete, Godson Oghenebrume, was sentenced to 27 months in U.S. federal prison and will be deported after illegally possessing a firearm and firing multiple shots during a domestic dispute involving his ex-girlfriend and their infant child.

A 23-year-old Nigerian student, Godson Oghenebrume, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison in the United States and will be deported after completing his sentence following a firearm-related conviction.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly Dick after Oghenebrume pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm while staying in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall.

Oghenebrume, a former track athlete at Louisiana State University (LSU), admitted to possessing a Glock 43X 9mm pistol on February 7, 2025, despite restrictions placed on non-immigrant visa holders.

According to court records, the incident began when his former girlfriend, who is also the mother of their infant child, visited his apartment in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with the baby. Oghenebrume was inside the apartment with another woman, and an argument broke out between him and his ex-girlfriend outside.

During the confrontation, he fired a gunshot while the baby was present. After briefly returning inside, another argument erupted when his ex-girlfriend entered the apartment. The dispute spilled outside, where he fired several more shots as she ran away. Authorities later found multiple bullet holes in the apartment complex.

Investigators also said Oghenebrume smashed his ex-girlfriend’s phone and took their baby. The other woman at the apartment later helped recover the child and returned the infant to the mother.

When deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office arrived, Oghenebrume ignored their commands, walked away, and threw the firearm into nearby bushes before he was arrested. A neighbour told investigators the gunfire was so loud that it left his ears ringing.

During questioning after receiving his legal rights, Oghenebrume admitted firing the weapon, claiming he only intended to frighten his ex-girlfriend into leaving.

Following his prison term, U.S. immigration authorities are expected to deport him to Nigeria.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PEOPLE GAZETTE