Two Nigerian nationals, Leslie Mba and Godson Oghenebrume, are set to face lengthy prison terms in the United States after pleading guilty to separate criminal offences before federal courts.
Mba, a 40 year old Houston resident, admitted to participating in a business email compromise scheme and operating a romance scam that targeted unsuspecting Americans.
The United States Department of Justice disclosed the development in a statement.
According to the DOJ, Mba also confessed to conspiring to commit wire fraud and to making false statements in immigration documents during his stay in the country.
A US Attorney, Nicholas Ganjei, noted that the fraud ring swindled victims of four million dollars between April 2018 and December 2023.
“Mba and others acted as money mules, opening or using existing bank accounts to collect and move proceeds from the fraud,” the report said.
Authorities said the Nigerian sought permanent residency through fraudulent marriages after his initial application was denied and he was ordered to be removed from the US.
His plea was accepted by District Judge David Hittner, who scheduled sentencing for February 26, 2026, and ordered that he remain in custody.
“At that time, Mba faces up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five years for committing false statements on immigration documents, as well as a possible 250,000 dollars maximum fine,” it added.
In a separate case, the DOJ reported on Wednesday that 22 year old Oghenebrume, who resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm before US Chief Judge Shelly Dick.
“According to admissions made during his plea, on February 7, 2025, Oghenebrume possessed a Glock model 43X, 9mm pistol, while he was admitted to the United States under a non immigrant F 1 student visa,” the statement read in part.
Investigators said he discharged the weapon during a heated dispute with his ex girlfriend at his apartment, leaving multiple bullet marks on the walls.
“Oghenebrume’s conviction is punishable by up to fifteen years imprisonment. He also faces a 250,000 dollars fine and up to three years of supervised release. He may also be subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completing his sentence,” the report added.
