Nigerian Sprinter Godson Oghenebrume Sentenced to Prison

Godson Oghenebrume, a 23-year-old Nigerian sprinter, has been sentenced to 27 months in a United States federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm while on a student visa. The case, confirmed by the U.S.

Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, stemmed from a domestic incident on February 7, 2025, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During an argument with his ex-girlfriend, Oghenebrume discharged a firearm multiple times, prompting police intervention.

He was later found with a Glock model 43X 9mm pistol and was indicted. Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, expressed that this setback will not end Oghenebrume's career, assuring that Nigeria will welcome him back even if he is deported after serving his sentence.

Oghenebrume has previously represented Nigeria in athletics, including at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 NCAA Championships.